Gonzalez, Harper try to stay hot in the desert (with lineups)

By Josh Land

Nationals

May 13, 2015, 9:44am

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Lefty Gio Gonzalez takes the hill against the Diamondbacks this afternoon as the Nationals attempt to win their fifth consecutive series. Gonzalez has pitched brilliantly so far in May, allowing just two runs in 14 innings (1.29 ERA) while striking out 17 and only walking three across two victories.

Gio Gonzalez gray pitch.jpg Meanwhile, the Diamondbacks will counter with right-hander Jeremy Hellickson, who will be making his first start against the Nationals. Hellickson hasn't made it out of the fifth inning in his last two outings, giving up 12 runs over both games.

Right fielder Bryce Harper's blistering pace continued last night with a 2-for-3 effort, which included his National League-leading 12th home run. The 22-year old tops the majors with 31 RBIs, 29 runs scored and 29 walks. Harper is slashing .308/.442/.675 with a 1.117 OPS.

For the Nationals:

CF Denard Span
3B Yunel Escobar
LF Jayson Werth
RF Bryce Harper
1B Ryan Zimmerman
SS Ian Desmond
C Jose Lobaton
2B Danny Espinosa
LHP Gio Gonzalez

For the Diamondbacks:

LF Ender Inciarte
RF Mark Trumbo
1B Paul Goldschmidt
CF A.J. Pollock
3B Aaron Hill
2B Chris Owings
C Jordan Pacheco
SS Nick Ahmed
RHP Jeremy Hellickson