It’s going to be an awkward 4th of July barbecue next week: Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond homered off brother-in-law Josh Roenicke in the game against the Rockies on Thursday.
The two had never faced each other before this week, but they’ve done so twice during the four-game series, with Desmond winning both battles. The red-hot Desmond tripled off Roenicke back on Monday.
Both Desmond and Roenicke are having nice seasons. Desmond is second among major league shortstops with 13 homers and first with 36 extra-base hits. Roenicke entered the day 3-0 with a 2.64 ERA in 44 1/3 innings out of the pen for Colorado, though it looks like he might end up with the loss in this one.
As for their relationship, Roenicke is married to Desmond’s sister. According to MLB.com, Josh and Nikki met in Florida in 2006 while Josh was in spring training with the Reds. They married in 2010.