Denard Span returns to the Nationals lineup

By Josh Land

Nationals

August 25, 2015, 11:44am

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The Nationals get Denard Span back in the leadoff spot tonight for the first time since 31-year-old went on the disabled on July 7 with back spasms. When Span starts, the Nats are 35-24 this year. He is batting .304 with five homers, 15 doubles, 22 RBIs and 11 stolen bases.

Yunel Escobar also returns to the lineup after missing the past two games with hyperextended neck. Escobar suffered the injury while trying to make a catch in foul territory in the first inning of Friday's loss to the Brewers.

Stephen Strasburg takes the mound tonight against his hometown Padres. The 27-year-old right-hander has rebounded from a rough start to the season, going 2-1 with a 1.35 ERA in his last three starts since returning from the disabled list on Aug. 8.

Strasburg is 4-1 with a 3.60 ERA in five career starts against the Padres.

For the Padres:

3B Yangervis Solarte
2B Cory Spangenberg
RF Matt Kemp
LF Justin Upton
1B Yonder Alfonso
SS Jedd Gyorko
C Derek Norris
RHP James Shields
CF Travis Jankowski

For the Nationals:

CF Denard Span
LF Jayson Werth
2B Anthony Rendon
RF Bryce Harper
3B Yunel Escobar
1B Ryan Zimmerman
SS Ian Desmond
C Wilson Ramos
RHP Stephen Strasburg