Game 17 lineups: Nats vs. Giants

Hope you slept fast because we’re right back at Nationals Park for a rare early Saturday afternoon game. The Nationals are looking to bounce back after last night’s 7-1 series-opening loss to the Giants in which Patrick Corbin gave up seven runs in just 1 2/3 innings. 

The Nationals needed to make some changes to their roster this morning in order to bring up a pitcher for today’s start. Although Monday’s rainout gave the staff a needed break, Tuesday’s doubleheader against the Diamondbacks created a conundrum for today. And after Paolo Espino’s two innings of work last night, the Nats needed reinforcements for their second game against the Giants.

Aaron Sanchez, who made his way to D.C. from Triple-A Rochester last night, is set to make his Nationals debut against his former team. The 29-year-old right-hander is 1-0 with a 3.60 ERA in three starts with the Red Wings. He has a 3.93 ERA over his seven-year major league career, including a 1-1 record and 3.06 ERA over nine appearances (seven starts) with the Giants last year.

In order to select Sanchez's contract and make room on the 40-man roster, the Nats designated right-hander Patrick Murphy for assignment.

Manager Davey Martinez has made a significant change to the top of his lineup this afternoon. Lane Thomas is in the leadoff spot with César Hernández moving down to the sixth spot. After posting a .364 on-base percentage in 45 games with the Nats last year, Thomas gets his first chance to lead off this season.

Left-hander Alex Wood makes the start for San Francisco this afternoon. The 31-year-old is 1-0 with a 1.93 ERA over two starts this season, including five scoreless innings his last time out in Cleveland.

Over 13 career starts against the Nationals, Wood is 4-5 with a 2.77 ERA, but he hasn’t faced them since 2019 when he was with the Reds.

SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS at WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 1:05 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, MLB Network (outside of D.C. market)
Radio: 106.7 FM, MLB.com
Weather: Cloudy, 69 degrees, wind 8 mph out to left field 

NATIONALS
LF Lane Thomas
RF Juan Soto
DH Nelson Cruz
1B Josh Bell
3B Maikel Franco
2B César Hernández
SS Alcides Escobar
C Riley Adams
CF Victor Robles 

RHP Aaron Sanchez

GIANTS
CF Mike Yastrzemski
1B Brandon Belt
LF Darin Ruf
DH Joc Pederson
SS Brandon Crawford
3B Wilmer Flores
2B Thairo Estrada
RF Luis González
C Curt Casali

LHP Alex Wood