Anthony Rendon sits in series finale (with lineups)

PITTSBURGH - A day after returning from the 15-day disabled list, Anthony Rendon is not in the lineup as the Nationals aim for a split with the Pirates in the series finale.

Rendon went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts, but he did collect an RBI on a sacrifice fly in Washington's 9-3 win last night. Nationals manager Matt Williams has indicated Rendon will be rested until he fully returns to playing shape after missing 25 games with a left quad strain. Yesterday's game was Rendon's sixth in a row after playing five straight days in his rehab stint for Single-A Potomac.

"We've got to continue to find ways to get Danny (Espinosa) in there," Williams said Saturday after the Nationals activated Rendon.

Espinosa's versatility and revitalized bat has been vital to the Nats' success this year. He is hitting .250/.322/.414 with 10 homers and 29 RBIs while playing five different positions.

Espinosa starts at second base today, but Williams says the 28-year-old could see some playing time in left field and first base with Rendon back from the DL. Espinosa was working in left field before yesterday's game. His only game action in left came in an emergency situation when Denard Span first experienced his back spasms before the eighth inning on June 7. Espinosa made five starts at first base, a position he also never played before this year.

Rookie Joe Ross makes his second start of the season against the Pirates today. The right-hander limited the Pirates to one run while fanning 11 over 7 1/3 innings in a 4-1 win over Pittsburgh on June 19 at Nationals Park.

Williams expects the 22-year-old to throw around 100 pitches this afternoon.

"He should be fully loaded," Williams said.

For the Nationals:

CF Michael A. Taylor
2B Danny Espinosa
RF Bryce Harper
3B Yunel Escobar
1B Clint Robinson
SS Ian Desmond
C Wilson Ramos
LF Matt den Dekker
RHP Joe Ross

For the Pirates:

RF Gregory Polanco
LF Starling Marte
CF Andrew McCutchen
3B Aramis Ramirez
SS Jung Ho Kang
2B Neil Walker
1B Pedro Alvarez
C Chris Stewart
RHP Gerrit Cole