When the Washington Nationals work themselves into a hole these days they seem to look forward to the days that righty Jason Marquis pitches. Sunday finds the Nationals in a deep hole in the desert coming off two consecutive shutouts at the hands of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Marquis will be taking the mound for Washington looking to claim the final game of a four game series have the Nats leave Arizona with a split.
Marquis, 6-2, 4.13 ERA, is arguably the Nationals best starter. A fierce competitor and veteran, Marquis is riding high after his last outing where he defeated the Philadelphia Phillies and pitcher Cliff Lee at Nationals Park back on May 31st. Sunday afternoon he will have to contend with Arizona's Ian Kennedy (6-2, 3.16 ERA) who has a 4.91 ERA in two starts against Washington.
The wild card in the whole affair will be the Nationals offense who have been shutdown and shutout the past two days. Washington certainly has the pitcher to carry them, but they will need the line-up to produce on their end as well. Wllson Ramos will be behind the plate for the second consecutive game, outfielder Laynce Nix will be hitting clean up and Alex Cora will man third base.
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, SP