Tanner Roark, Nationals Look to Get Back on Track Against Phillies

Aug 31, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Nationals pitcher

(57) throws against the Seattle Mariners during the third inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

After last night’s disastrous loss to the Phillies, the Nationals look to get back to their winning ways and even the series against Philadelphia this afternoon at Nationals Park.

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Tanner Roark (12-9, 2.91 ERA) gets the start for the Nationals as the right-hander hopes to finally earn his 13th win of the season. The Nationals’ right-hander struggled his last time out, allowing four runs on 11 hits over 6 1/3 innings of work against the Mariners.

Roark is currently riding a two-game losing streak and has not won a game since August 15, a strange drought for one of Washington’s most reliable starting pitchers in 2014. Despite his losing streak, Roark has still dominated of late, posting a 2.58 ERA in his last 10 starts.

In his career against the Phillies, Roark is 2-2 with a 4.74 ERA in 19 innings, including a tough-luck loss against them last week in which he gave up just two runs over six innings of work.

The Phillies will counter with A.J. Burnett (7-15, 4.40 ERA). The Phillies’ right-hander gave up five runs over six innings against the Mets his last time out. In his career against the Nationals, Burnett is 11-5 with a 3.29 ERA over 142 1/3 innings.

Prior to today’s game, the Nationals are 79-60 and lead the Braves by seven games in the NL East. Washington’s magic number to clinch the division stands at 16 going into Saturday’s games.

Here are the lineups for today’s game:

1. CF: Ben Revere
2. SS: Jimmy Rollins
3. 2B: Chase Utley
4. 1B: Ryan Howard
5. RF: Grady Sizemore
6. LF: Domonic Brown
7. C: Wil Nieves
8. 3B: Cody Asche
9. SP: A.J. Burnett

Nationals

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