Nats-Rockies rained out; doubleheader scheduled for Thursday
The Nationals never had a chance to erase Tuesday night's tough loss. Rain cancelled Wednesday's affair, and Washington and Colorado will play a doubleheader on Thursday.
Game one will be played at 3:00 p.m. with the second game to follow after a brief intermission. Jason Bergmann will get the start in the first game and Odalis Perez will take the ball in the second contest.
Starting Line-Ups
Nationals
2B Emilio Bonifacio
LF Willie Harris
3B Ryan Zimmerman
RF Austin Kearns
CF Lastings Milledge
C Jesus Flores
1B Ronnie Belliard
SS Pete Orr
P Odalis Perez
Rockies
CF Willy Taveres
3B Clint Barmes
LF Matt Holliday
1B Garrett Atkins
SS Troy Tulowitzki
2B Jeff Baker
RF Brad Hawpe
C Yorvit Torrealba
P Jeff Francis
Game Preview
Nationals (42-71) at Colorado (52-63)
The Nationals' four-game losing streak came to an end last night, as the bullpen allowed six runs in the eighth, breaking the 2-2 tie and falling 8-2
John Lannan tossed seven solid innings, but gave up a 2-run homer in the seventh, allowing the Rockies to tie the game. Tonight, Odalis Perez looks to get the Nationals back on track and take game three of the 4-game series. Jeff Francis toes the rubber for Colorado.
Pitching Match-Up
LHP Odalis Perez (4-8, 4.16) is coming off his longest outing in three years and arguably his best of the season. He gave up one run on three hits in 7 1/3 innings in the Nationals 5-2 win over Cincinnati last Friday. It was his first win at Nationals Park.
Perez retired the first six Reds, nine of 10 and didn't allow a hit until Jeff Keppinger led-off the fourth with a double. Two groundouts later, Keppinger scored the only run Perez would allow. He walked three and struck out five while throwing 102 pitches.
This marks the 11th road start for Perez. He's 3-4 with a 5.96 ERA, nearly two runs higher than his home ERA. In his career vs. Colorado, 18 games, 17 starts, Perez is 6-7 with a 3.87 ERA. Two of the wins are complete games and a shutout.
The last time Perez faced the Rockies, July 5, 2005, he was pitching for the Dodgers and he gave up four runs on eight hits in five innings and suffered the loss in Colorado's 6-1 win.
LHP Jeff Francis (3-7, 5.67) hasn't pitched in the Majors since June 28th and went on the disabled list with left shoulder inflammation right after that start.
He was winless in his two starts prior to going on the DL and neither one was particularly good. He's 0-1 with a no-decision, while giving up a combined 12 runs, 11 earned, in 10 1/3 innings.
In that last start, on June 28th, he was rocked for five runs, four earned on 11 hits in six innings in the Tigers 7-6 win.
Francis is making his ninth start at Coors Field. He's 2-4 with a 5.25 ERA at home this season.
This is the fourth career start against the Nationals for Francis. He's 1-0 with a 5.29 ERA. Last year, Francis received a no-decision in the Rockies 6-5 win. He gave up four runs, two earned, in 6 1/3 innings.
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