Suzuki gets 10th straight start

By Dan Kolko

Nationals

October 01, 2012, 11:37am

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Kurt Suzuki has told manager Davey Johnson in the past that he has no problem starting every single game. Until the Nationals clinch the NL East title, Johnson is taking Suzuki up on his offer. Suzuki's getting the start behind the plate for the 10th straight day, a very lengthy streak for a catcher. In the last nine games, Suzuki is batting .294 with a home run and seven RBIs, so Johnson doesn't want to go away from the hot hand. He'll stick with Suzuki until the Nats are able to lock up the division. Johnson wants the Nats to clinch as soon as possible so that they can turn their attention to the postseason, but also so that he can rest some of his starters, Suzuki included. The Nats will face Phillies righty Kyle Kendrick tonight. When they saw Kendrick last Wednesday, they touched him up for five runs on five hits over just two-plus innings. For the Nats: RF Jayson Werth CF Bryce Harper 3B Ryan Zimmerman 1B Adam LaRoche LF Michael Morse SS Ian Desmond 2B Danny Espinosa C Kurt Suzuki P John Lannan For the Phillies 3B Kevin Frandsen CF John Mayberry 2B Chase Utley C Carlos Ruiz 1B Ty Wigginton RF Domonic Brown LF Darin Ruf SS Michael Martinez P Kyle Kendrick