Nationals (82-52) vs. Cubs (51-83)
Game » 135
Starters » Edwin Jackson (8-9, 3.53 ERA) vs. Chris Rusin (0-1, 1.80 ERA)
When » Tuesday, 7:05 p.m.
Where » Nationals Park, Washington
TV » MASN HD
Radio » 106.7 The Fan FM, WFED 1500, WHFS 1580
The Nationals have hit their first big milestone this season by clinching a winning record after a Labor Day win in the series opener against the Cubs. They hope it’s not their last. Rookie outfielder Bryce Harper gets the night off with Chicago throwing a soft-tossing left-handed pitcher in Chris Rusin. No injury issue, according to Washington manager Davey Johnson. Harper’s back was sore earlier this summer and has bothered him on and off.
“Harp, I’ve kind of run him in the ground. Although I’m sure he’s not tired,” Johnson said. “I think he was a little tired on Sunday for some reason, but he felt great [Monday]. [Wednesday] I’m going to give [outfielder Jayson] Werth off. I’m just going to kind of pick some spots. We’ve had a real tough schedule here lately, the weather’s been hot and some tough games.”
Johnson joked that outfielder Michael Morse doesn’t want to talk to him right now because he pulled him from a game over the holiday weekend. Morse, of course, is still feeling the effects of a sore thumb he first hurt in San Francisco last month and which was later smashed in Philadelphia after Kyle Kendrick hit him with a pitch. Werth will sit because of a sore calf.
[Orioles manager Earl] Weaver his used his little cheat sheet thing. I use the training room when I go in there,” Johnson said half-jokingly. “Because guys don’t usually go in there unless they got something bothering them.”
Cubs
RF – David DeJesus
3B – Luis Valbuena
1B – Anthony Rizzo
LF – Alfonso Soriano
SS – Starlin Castro
C – Wellington Castillo
CF – Brett Jackson
2B – Darwin Barney
LHP – Chris Rusin
Nats
RF – Jayson Werth
SS – Ian Desmond
3B – Ryan Zimmerman
RF – Michael Morse
1B – Adam LaRoche
2B – Danny Espinosa
LF – Tyler Moore
C – Jesus Flores
RHP – Edwin Jackson
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