Desmond sits for second straight day

By Dan Kolko

Nationals

July 16, 2012, 12:13pm

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The Nationals will be without Ian Desmond for tonight's series finale against the Marlins. Desmond also sat out yesterday's game against the Marlins because of a sore left oblique which tightened up on him. He had played every inning for 71 straight games prior to missing yesterday's contest. With Desmond out of the lineup, the Nationals will again go with Danny Espinosa at shortstop and Steve Lombardozzi at second base. They'll face veteran right-hander Carlos Zambrano tonight at Marlins Park. Zambrano has gone 4-7 with a 4.20 ERA this season. The Nats will give the ball to Edwin Jackson, who ended the first half with a 5-4 record and a 3.73 ERA. Jackson was a tough-luck loser against the Marlins back on May 29th in Miami, allowing two runs (one earned) over 6 2/3 in a 3-1 Nats loss. For the Nationals 2B Steve Lombardozzi RF Bryce Harper 3B Ryan Zimmerman 1B Adam LaRoche LF Michael Morse SS Danny Espinosa CF Roger Bernadina C Jesus Flores P Edwin Jackson For the Marlins SS Jose Reyes CF Emilio Bonifacio 1B Carlos Lee LF Logan Morrison 3B Hanley Ramirez RF Greg Dobbs 2B Omar Infante C Brett Hayes P Carlos Zambrano