Danny Espinosa gets start (with lineups)

By Josh Land

Nationals

August 05, 2015, 12:06pm

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Danny Espinosa has made just one start since Anthony Rendon returned from the disabled list July 25. Tonight, Espinosa gets the nod at shortstop, with Ian Desmond receiving a night off.

Espinosa has slashed .249/.320/.411 with 10 homers this season while showing stellar defense at five different positions. However, Espinosa's production at the plate dropped off significantly at the plate over the past month, like many in the Nats lineup. The 28-year-old is 16-for-73 (.219) since July 1.

Left-hander Gio Gonzalez has not allowed more than two earned runs since giving up five runs over 3 1/3 innings June 15. Over that stretch of six starts, Gonzalez is 4-0 with a 1.51 ERA. Control was an issue for Gonzalez last Friday in New York when he walked four, ending his night prematurely after only 4 2/3 innings

For the Diamondbacks:
LF Ender Inciarte
CF A.J. Pollock
1B Paul Goldschmidt
C Welington Castillo
3B Aaron Hill
RF Yasmany Tomas
2B Chris Owings
SS Nick Ahmed
RHP Rubby De La Rosa

For the Nationals:
3B Yunel Escobar
2B Anthony Rendon
RF Bryce Harper
1B Ryan Zimmerman
LF Jayson Werth
SS Danny Espinosa
C Jose Lobaton
CF Michael A. Taylor
LHP Gio Gonzalez