The Nationals call on Gio Gonzalez to step up and be the stopper tonight as the Nats have lost two straight games and some ground in the NL East. The Dodgers scratched Hyun-Jin Ryu who will miss this start due to elbow irritation, and he will be replaced by righty Bud Norris.
Gio Gonzalez has not pitched since he beat the Mets on July 10th, and he should be sufficiently rested and ready.
The Nats had to put together a lineup last night that was not optimal for a rookie’s debut, and was caused by a flu running through the clubhouse that took down both Anthony Rendon and Stephen Drew. While Daniel Murphy was the only available 3rd baseman without moving both Danny Espinosa and Turner, it was Murphy’s 87th MLB game at the ‘hot corner’ and he did not do well there.
While we wait for Dusty Baker‘s line-up card, here is a look at StatCast™ on Trea Turner‘s triple in this video that featured a top-speed triple at 22.7 mph. Speaking of Turner, his defensive range and athleticism at 2nd base has been very impressive and better than what we saw briefly last year.
Reynaldo Lopez had a short stay and has been optioned back to Triple-A Syracuse as the Nats promote Koda Glover to the bullpen and Nick Lee was designated for assignment to make room on the 40 man roster for Glover.
Here are your Nats stats against Bud Norris:
Here are Gio Gonzalez’s stats against the Dodgers:
Washington Nationals and Los Angeles Dodgers
Stadium: Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.
1st Pitch: 7:05 pm EDT
TV: MASN2, SportsNet LA, SNLA , MLB.tv
Line-ups (subject to change without notice):
- Ben Revere CF
- Jayson Werth LF
- Daniel Murphy 1B
- Bryce Harper RF
- Wilson Ramos C
- Anthony Rendon 3B
- Trea Turner 2B
- Danny Espinosa SS
- Gio Gonzalez LHP
