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Belliard doing it all for the Nationals

Jun 14, 2008 - 2:02 PM Washington (27-42) at Seattle (24-43) 10:10 pm EDT

SEATTLE (Ticker) -- Ronnie Belliard is fully recovered from a stint on the 15-day disabled list and is doing everything possible to help the Washington Nationals win games.

Belliard and the Nationals try to win back-to-back contests for the first time in nearly a month when they continue a three-game interleague series against the Seattle Mariners on Saturday.

Belliard drove in two runs during a six-run second inning of a 7-6 victory on Friday, just Washington's second win in its last eight games. The Nationals have not been able to string together consecutive wins since May 18-19.

The 33-year-old Belliard is 5-for-13 (.384) with two home runs and five RBI in four games since returning from a left calf injury and has also contributed in the field.

After playing second base for a majority of his 10-year career, Belliard has started at third base in place of injured Ryan Zimmerman in three of four games since his return.

Filling in for injured players appears to be a common theme for Washington as Saturday's starter Tyler Clippard (0-1, 6.23 ERA) was recalled from Class AAA Columbus following Friday's win to replace lefthander Odalis Perez, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list with left shoulder tendinitis.

Erik Bedard (4-4, 4.26) counters for Seattle, which is trying to avoid losing six straight home games for the first time since the 2006 season.