LaRoche sits, Walters makes first start in outfield at A's

OAKLAND - Adam LaRoche will get to rest his injured quad entirely tonight, as manager Matt Williams has given the veteran first baseman the night off one game after putting him at designated hitter. Williams had said he expected LaRoche to be at first for tonight's game with Athletics ace Sonny Gray on the mound. The Nationals manager is likely to share why LaRoche is out of the lineup during his pregame meeting with the media. With LaRoche out, Kevin Frandsen starts at first for the second straight night, Jayson Werth slides over to designated hitter, Nate McLouth is in right for his first start since cutting his hand and Zach Walters starts in left. This will be Walters' first start of the season after 18 games off the bench. It is also his first major league start in the outfield. All the more interesting is the fact that the 24-year-old made just one outfield appearance in the minors - with Single-A Potomac in 2012. The Nats will have Tanner Roark on the mound against Gray, who's tied for first in the American League with a 1.91 ERA. For the Nationals CF Denard Span 1B Kevin Frandsen 3B Anthony Rendon DH Jayson Werth C Wilson Ramos SS Ian Desmond RF Nate McLouth 2B Danny Espinosa LF Zach Walters RHP Tanner Roark For the Athletics C John Jaso SS Jed Lowrie 3B Josh Donaldson 1B Brandon Moss LF Yoenis Cespedes RF Josh Reddick DH Alberto Callaspo 2B Eric Sogard CF Craig Gentry RHP Sonny Gray