The Washington Nationals will battle their NL East rivals the Atlanta Braves on Thursday night in a rubber match between the two teams at Turner Field. First pitch will be at 7:10 P.M.
Right hander Chien-Ming Wang (2-2, 3.82 ERA) will be put in charge of holding down the Braves offense. Wang went hard against the Cincinnati Reds during his last start getting a no decision while pitching six strong innings. He gave up two runs (one earned) on six hits. Wang says that it is getting easier and easier for him to throw the ball and that his shoulder feels good, but admits he still has to work on his release point. Wang's opponent will be Atlanta's Tim Hudson (13-8, 3.10 ERA).
Tonight the Nationals have two more options to add to their arsenal. Catcher Wilson Ramos is back in the line-up after sitting out two days with flu-like symptoms. Also returning to the team from the DL is reliever Doug Slaten. Slaten had been on the DL since June 4th with left elbow ulnar neuritis. The bullpen lefty will be available Thursday night if needed.
Nationals Line-Up
1. Ian Desmond, SS
2. Jayson Werth, CF
3. Ryan Zimmerman, 3B
4. Michael Morse, LF
5. Laynce Nix, RF
6. Danny Espinosa, 2B
7. Chris Marrero, 1B
8. Wilson Ramos, C
9. Chien-Ming Wang, SP
Braves Line-Up
1. Michael Bourn, CF
2. Jose Constanza, LF
3. Brian McCann, C
4. Dan Uggla, 2B
5. Chipper Jones, 3B
6. Eric Hinske, 1B
7. Jason Heyward, RF
8. Alex Gonzalez, SS
9. Tim Hudson, SP