Nats (22-30) vs. Phillies (33-20)
What – Game #53
Where – Nationals Park
When – 1:05 p.m.
TV – MASN HD
Radio – WJFK-106.7 FM; WFED-1500 AM
So, say you’ve lost 12 of your last 16 games and are sputtering offensively. You’re trying to get going, grinding to stop a losing skid without two of your three best hitters in the lineup. What’s about the worst possible thing I could say to you: Halladay. Lee. Oswalt.
That’s what the Nats get the next three days, starting with a Memorial Day game this afternoon against the Philadelphia Phillies. On the surface this doesn’t seem all that promising. But, that’s why they play the games. Washington has to find a way against Roy Halladay (6-3, 2.35 ERA), who has held them to four runs in 16 innings already this season, including a complete-game win on April 13 at Citizen Bank Park. They get Cliff Lee (4-4, 3.50) and Roy Oswalt (3-2, 2.60). Halladay is opposed by Livan Hernandez (3-6, 3.71 ERA).
Rick Ankiel gets the start in center field for the Nats today as Roger Bernadina goes back to the bench. And shortstop Ian Desmond – still battling some nagging aches and pains – gets a day off. Here are the lineups.
| Phillies | Nationals |
|
Rollins – SS Polanco – 3B Utley – 2B Howard – 1B Ibanez – LF Ruiz – C Brown – RF Mayberry – CF Halladay – P |
Ankiel – CF Espinosa – 2B Werth – RF Nix – LF Morse – 1B Ramos – C Hairston – 3B Cora – SS Hernandez – P |
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