The Washington Nationals will finish their 11-game West Coast road trip against the San Diego Padres at PETCO Park on Sunday afternoon and will look to win a series in San Diego for the first time since 2001 when they were known as the Montreal Expos.
The Nationals lead the current four game series two games to one. The Nationals are sending their young gun Jordan Zimmermann (4-6, 3.39 ERA) to the mound against the Padres Tim Stauffer (2-4, 3.58 ERA). Zimmermann has been experiencing a rise in his performance and looks like he is close if not ready to become the pitcher the Nationals have always hoped. He has allowed three runs or fewer in his last seven starts. In his support, the Nationals will go with a similar, unique line-up they used Saturday.
Right fielder Jayson Werth will continue to lead off while Zimmermann will bat eighth. Shortstop Alex Cora will be batting ninth. Center fielder Roger Bernadina has been taken out of the line-up due to a sore hamstring and shortstop Ian Desmond is also absent as he is getting rest for a sore thigh.
First pitch is at 4:05 P.M. EST.
Nationals Line-Up
1. Jayson Werth, RF
2. Danny Espinosa, 2B
3. Laynce Nix, LF
4. Michael Morse, 1B
5. Wilson Ramos, C
6. Rick Ankiel, CF
7. Jerry Hairston, 3B
8. Jordan Zimmermann, SP
9. Alex Cora, SS