The Washington Nationals clawed their way back to .500 with a thrilling 2-1 win over the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday night. Now, they will look for a series sweep and a over-.500 record in a Thursday afternoon game at Nationals Park. First pitch is at 1:05 p.m.
Despite their recent success, the Nationals have decided to make a lineup change. The Jayson Werth leadoff experiment will end. Werth will drop back down to No. 2 in the lineup, with Roger Bernadina getting another chance to hit first in his place. Werth hit just .179 with a .289 on-base percentage in 10 games hitting leadoff. Perhaps the experiment will continue another time, but it will be halted now.
Jason Marquis will be on the hill for the Nationals, and he will still hit eighth as JIm Riggleman continues with that unusual arrangement. Michael Pineda will oppose him for Seattle. Here is the Nationals' lineup:
- Roger Bernadina (CF)
- Jayson Werth (RF)
- Ryan Zimmerman (3B)
- Michael Morse (1B)
- Danny Espinosa (2B)
- Ivan Rodriguez (C)
- Jerry Hairston (LF)
- Jason Marquis (P)
- Ian Desmond (SS)