Nats activate Adam LaRoche from DL

— -- PITTSBURGH -- The Washington Nationals activated first baseman Adam LaRoche from the 15-day disabled list, and he batted cleanup Sunday against the Pirates.

He went 1-for-4 in the Nationals' 5-2 victory, which ended Washington's season-worst four-game losing streak and returned the Nationals to .500 at 25-25 this season.

LaRoche had been out since May 10 with a strained right quadriceps before rejoining the lineup Sunday. He is hitting .316 with five home runs and 21 RBIs in 33 games.

Nationals manager Matt Williams is hoping LaRoche can provide a spark to an offense that is missing injured third baseman Ryan Zimmerman and left fielder Bryce Harper.

The Nationals had hit just .194 during their season-worst four-game losing streak that had dropped them under .500 for the first time this season.

Washington optioned rookie infielder Zack Walters to Triple-A Syracuse after Saturday's 3-2 loss to the Pirates to clear a roster spot for LaRoche. Walters hit .182 with three homers in 27 games.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.