Roark, Nationals Look to Even Series Against Brewers

Jul 13, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher

(57) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

After starting the second half with a 4-2 loss to the Brewers and falling out of first place, the Nationals look to get back to their winning ways and even the series against Milwaukee Saturday night at Nationals Park.

Tanner Roark (8-6, 3.01 ERA) gets the start for the Nationals as he looks to build off a strong start against the Phillies last Sunday in which he gave up just one run on four hits over seven innings of work. Roark has been solid of late, boasting a 2.42 ERA in his last 10 starts. It will be Roark’s first career start against the Brewers.

Roark was originally scheduled to pitch Sunday afternoon but the right-hander was moved up in the rotation after Gio Gonzalez missed his bullpen session due to a flight cancellation. Gonzalez will make his second half debut Sunday, instead.

 “I’m pitching with confidence, and I really didn’t try to nibble,” Roark told MLB.com after his last start. “The changeup was working today. That helped me get out of a jam a couple of times. The changeup was the biggest thing as far as getting ahead.”

The Brewers will counter with right-hander Matt Garza (6-6, 3.69 ERA). The Brewers’ right-hander has been dominant in his last two starts, taking no-hitters into the sixth and seventh innings against Cincinnati and Philadelphia respectively. In his career against the Nationals, Garza is 0-2 with a 5.74 ERA.

Prior to Saturday night’s game, the Nationals are a game back of the Braves for first place in the NL East with a record of 51-43.

Here are the lineups for tonight’s game:

1. CF: Carlos Gomez
2. 2B: Scooter Gennett
3. RF: Ryan Braun
4. 3B: Aramis Ramirez
5. C: Jonathan Lucroy
6. LF: Khris Davis
7. 1B: Lyle Overbay
8. SS: Jean Segura
9. SP: Matt Garza

Washington Nationals

1. CF: Denard Span
2. 2B: Anthony Rendon
3. RF: Jayson Werth
4. 1B: Adam LaRoche
5. 3B: Ryan Zimmerman
6. LF: Bryce Harper
7. SS: Ian Desmond
8. C: Wilson Ramos
9. SP: Tanner Roark