Last season was rough as could be for Adam LaRoche: He tried to play through a torn labrum in his left shoulder, wound up hitting .172 with three homers in 43 games, then relented and had surgery. The offseason that followed was filled with talk in Washington about whether the Nationals would sign free agent Prince Fielder to replace LaRoche at first base. Nowadays? Fielder ended up in Detroit, LaRoche is healthy and batting cleanup -- and carrying the NL East-leading Nationals. On Wednesday night, LaRoche broke open a tight game with a three-run double for his 1,000th career hit after homering for No. 999, Gio Gonzalez took over the NL strikeout lead from teammate Stephen Strasburg by fanning 10 in seven innings, and Washington beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 7-4.
