Harper, Rendon flipped in lineup vs. sub starter Villanueva

By Dan Kolko

Nationals

July 05, 2014, 9:16am

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Bryce Harper's stay in the second spot in the lineup lasted one day. Nationals manager Matt Williams returned Harper to sixth in the order for the fourth time in five games since the outfielder was activated from the disabled list. Batting second Friday, Harper went 0-for-4. Anthony Rendon moves back up to second after hitting sixth. Rendon is riding an eight-game hitting streak. The Nats won't be facing Jeff Samardzija after the Cubs traded the right-hander (along with right-hander Jason Hammel) to the Athletics on Friday night. Right-hander Carlos Villanueva will be starting in Samardzija's place, having gone 4-5 with a 5.91 ERA in 22 games (four starts) with Chicago this season. Villanueva hasn't started since April 25 with his ERA at 9.95. He has performed much better since, going 3-0 with a 3.04 ERA in 16 relief appearances. The Nats answer with lefty Gio Gonzalez, who has pitched 13 scoreless innings over his last two starts. For the Nationals CF Denard Span 2B Anthony Rendon RF Jayson Werth 1B Adam LaRoche 3B Ryan Zimmerman LF Bryce Harper SS Ian Desmond C Wilson Ramos LHP Gio Gonzalez For the Cubs CF Junior Lake RF Justin Ruggiano 1B Anthony Rizzo SS Starlin Castro C Wellington Castillo 3B Mike Olt LF Chris Coghlan 2B Darwin Barney RHP Carlos Villanueva