A scary fact is the Washington Nationals have not beaten the San Diego Padres in San Digeo since the franchise was known as the Montreal Expos and that was back in 2001. With a one game already under the Padres belts in the current series, the Nationals are going to have to dig deep to break the ugly cycle, but they have to win Friday's game in order to do it.
The Nats will have right-hander Jason Marquis (6-2, 3.84 ERA) on the mound for them to go against the Padres Mat Latos (4-6, 3.94 ERA). In terms of wins and losses, Marquis is the Nationals top veteran pitcher. He earned a five-game suspension for hitting a batter when the Nationals faced the Arizona Diamondbacks earlier in the week, but he has appealed it and will make his start Friday. Marquis last pitched June 5th in that controversial game and gave up three hits, no runs, three walks and four strikeouts before being ejected from the game for hitting Justin Upton with a pitch.
The Nationals will be with out veteran Jerry Hairston Jr. for the third consecutive game as he is getting over lower back spasms and reliever Cole Kimball was placed on the DL late Friday afternoon with shoulder inflammation.
Nationals Line-Up
1. Roger Bernadina, CF
2. Ian Desmond, SS
3. Jayson Werth, RF
4. Laynce Nix, LF
5. Michael Morse, 1B
6. Danny Espinosa, 2B
7. Wilson Ramos, C
8. Alex Cora, 3B
9. Jason Marquis P