Roark starts Game 2, Harper sits

By Josh Land

Nationals

June 28, 2015, 12:43pm

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PHILADELPHIA - Nationals manager Matt Williams will give the ball to Tanner Roark to start Game 2 of the doubleheader. Roark hasn't pitched since he followed Strasburg to the mound for two scoreless innings in Tuesday's 3-1 win over the Braves. That was Roark's first relief appearance since returning to the bullpen after going 3-0 with a 3.86 ERA in five starts from May 25-June 16.

Jose Lobaton will be behind the plate for Roark. Lobaton is 3-for-10 (.300) with two RBIs in his last three starts.

Wilmer Difo joins the team as the 26th man on the Nats roster.

Bryce Harper will sit Game 2 against the Phillies. Denard Span also gets the evening off. Yunel Escobar returns to third base in the second game after resting his left hand contusion in the first.

For the Nationals:

CF Michael A. Taylor
2B Danny Espinosa
3B Yunel Escobar
LF Clint Robinson
SS Ian Desmond
C Jose Lobaton
1B Tyler Moore
RF Matt den Dekker
RHP Tanner Roark

For the Phillies:

CF Odubel Herrera
2B Cesar Hernandez
3B Maikel Franco
RF Domonic Brown
1B Darin Ruf
LF Cody Asche
C Carlos Ruiz
SS Andres Blanco
RHP Severino Gonzalez