Williams gives Espinosa, Johnson first starts (with lineups)

By Josh Land

Nationals

April 11, 2015, 11:38am

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PHILADELPHIA - The Nationals send tall righty Doug Fister to the mound tonight to try to stop a two-game losing streak. Fister is coming off a questionable spring training, where he allowed an uncharacteristic seven homers en route to a 5.96 ERA in 22 2/3 innings.

The Phillies will counter with three-time All-Star Cole Hamels. He took the loss on opening day allowing four runs on five hits with six strikeouts and three walks against the Red Sox.

Nationals manager Matt Williams will give second baseman Danny Espinosa and left fielder Reed Johnson their first starts of the year tonight. Espinosa has not had an at-bat this season, but typically sees action when sinkerballer Fister takes the hill because of his superior defense.

Espinosa focused all spring on hitting exclusively from the right side. He batted .301 against lefties last year, so he should be more comfortable facing Hamels - if you can be comfortable facing Hamels.

Johnson saw action in Thursday's loss, going 1-for-2 with an RBI.

For the Nationals:

CF Michael A. Taylor
3B Yunel Escobar
RF Bryce Harper
1B Ryan Zimmerman
C Wilson Ramos
SS Ian Desmond
LF Reed Johnson
2B Danny Espinosa
RHP Doug Fister

For the Phillies:

LF Ben Revere
SS Freddy Galvis
2B Chase Utley
1B Ryan Howard
C Carlos Ruiz
RF Grady Sizemore
CF Odubel Herrera
3B Andres Blanco
LHP Cole Hamels