PHILADELPHIA - The Nationals will look to snap a three-game losing streak and salvage a game out of this three-game set in Philly tonight.
If they aren't able to do so, the Nats will fall to a season-worst three games under .500 and drop back into third place in the National League East behind the Braves and Phillies.
Davey Johnson has Adam LaRoche back in the cleanup spot tonight against the right-handed Kyle Kendrick, and the left-handed-hitting Roger Bernadina will play left field.
It'll be Kendrick (6-4, 3.76) against Gio Gonzalez (3-3, 3.40) at Citizens Bank Park on what should be a beautiful night.
Gonzalez made four starts against the Phillies last season, going 3-1 with a 2.52 ERA and 29 strikeouts in 25 innings.
Kendrick has gotten hit fairly hard by the Nats over the years, posting a 4.90 ERA in 20 appearances (18 starts) against Washington.
Ian Desmond is batting .400 (10-for-25) with two home runs, two doubles and six RBIs in his career against Kendrick. Kurt Suzuki (.400, one homer), Ryan Zimmerman (.314, one homer and seven doubles) and Steve Lombardozzi (.400, one double, two RBIs) have all seen Kendrick pretty well in their careers, as well.
For the Nats
CF Denard Span
2B Anthony Rendon
3B Ryan Zimmerman
1B Adam LaRoche
RF Jayson Werth
SS Ian Desmond
LF Roger Bernadina
C Kurt Suzuki
LHP Gio Gonzalez
For the Phillies
CF Ben Revere
3B Michael Young
SS Jimmy Rollins
1B Ryan Howard
LF Domonic Brown
RF Delmon Young
2B Kevin Frandsen
C Carlos Ruiz
RHP Kyle Kendrick
Update: Bernandina has been scratched from the lineup. Steve Lombardozzi will be playing left field and batting seventh. The Nationals have not given a reason as to why Bernadina has been scratched.
Update II: Bernadina was taken out of the lineup because he got something in his eye, according to a team spokesman. He'll be available to come off the bench tonight.
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