The Nationals’ catching tandem of Drew Millas nor Keibert Ruiz has provided little offensive punch of late.

But just one game after Millas had his best offensive showing of the season against the Twins — going 2-for-4 with a homer and double — Ruiz delivered three extra-base hits for Washington on Thursday.

That included the go-ahead run in the seventh inning. After former National Josh Bell delivered a go-ahead RBI double, Ruiz struck back with a solo homer on a 3-1 count to allow Washington to regain the lead and stay in front, 7-5.

Getting any sort of offensive production out of the catcher position is a boon for the Nationals. Entering Thursday, Nationals catchers were 26th in batting average (.177), 30th in OBP (.220) and 24th in slugging percentage (.290) with a weighted runs created plus of 39, the worst mark in the majors according to Fangraphs. Over the past two games, Washington catchers combined to go 5-for-8 with three doubles and six RBIs .

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Unlike the first two games of the series, which were decisive blowouts, Thursday’s game was more of a back-and-forth affair that required the Nationals to apply the pressure on the Twins, and Ruiz was a huge factor in keeping the Nationals in the game.

After the Twins took a 2-0 lead in the second, the Nationals tied the game in the third with an RBI double by Ruiz and a sacrifice fly by Nasim Nuñez. In the fifth, the Twins took a 3-2 lead and the Nationals answered right back with a three-run inning to grab a 5-3 lead. In all, the Nationals scored in three different innings, showcasing the versatile offensive attack that allowed them to surprise many in baseball at the beginning of the season.

Over the last 14 days, the offense had reverted to how many thought that the Nationals would perform this season. They entered Thursday 30th in batting average (.213), 29th in OBP (.291) and 25th in slugging percentage (.359) in that two-week span, according to Fangraphs.

Millas said Wednesday that some adjustments with hitting coach Matt Borgschulte helped get him in a good place with his mechanics. The coaching staff wanted him to be more athletic in the box, so he’s shifted more weight on the front side, he said.

The catching spot had been a black hole for the Nationals. And while a catcher is also responsible for working with pitchers on game plans and improving their framing and blocking, they can’t be net negatives at the plate. That Millas showed positive signs in Wednesday’s win and Ruiz was the catalyst on Thursday are positive indicators for the Nationals as they begin a six-game road trip Friday.