Nats need offense to break out in series finale
How bad are things going for the Nationals during their current five-game losing streak? They have scored nine total runs in that stretch and one each in the last three games.
Let me break it down a little more. In the five losses, Washington has managed 34 hits in 45 innings. 26 of those base knocks came off the opposing starter in 31 1/3 innings, accounting for seven of the nine runs they've scored.
Aside from the fact they aren't scoring against the starters, the Nationals aren't getting to the opponent's bullpen. In 13 2/3 frames, Washington has 10 hits and two runs. Not a recipe for success.
In today's series finale against the Padres, which also ends their nine-game road trip, John Lannan faces Kevin Correia.
Lannan (8-9, 3.95) is coming off an eight-inning, two-run effort against the Cardinals last Friday, but a solo homer in the eighth tied the game and left him with a no-decision. Albert Pujols hit a walk-off tater off Jason Bergmann in the ninth.
The left-hander regained his early season form, getting 17 ground ball outs as he looks to continue his dominance over the Friars this afternoon.
Lannan has a career 1.71 ERA in three starts against San Diego, including giving up one run in eight innings on July 26 at Nationals Park. He settled for a no-decision in Washington's 3-2 win.
Correia (9-10, 4.50) picked up his team-leading and career-high ninth win of the season in his last outing. It helped that he was spotted a five-run lead after an inning and a half. He allowed four runs in 6 2/3.
In nine career games, two starts against the Nationals, Correia is 1-1 with a 3.09 ERA. Last July he allowed fours runs on a career-high 12 hits in 5 2/3 in the Padres 6-4 win but he wasn't around to get a decision.
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