Morse pleased to be back with Nats

After missing two months of the 2012 season because of a torn left lat muscle, Nationals right fielder Michael Morse made his season debut in a 2-0 victory over the Braves on Saturday afternoon, going 0-for-4. All four outs were groundouts to Braves shortstop Andrelton Simmons.

“Every at-bat, I felt more comfortable,” Morse said. “First at-bat, I felt kind of a little jumpy, so I tried to slow it down during the next at-bat. By the last at-bat, I felt where I should be.”

The highlight of the day for Morse came in the first inning when he received a standing ovation from the sellout crowd of 41,042 at Nationals Park.

“I’ll say that is one of the coolest things [that ever happened to me],” Morse said. “It gave me goose bumps. That tells you about the fans that we have here. It was a great little moment there I had. I appreciate the fans for all their support and everything.”