Taylor leading off, playing center field with Span getting day off

NEW YORK - After starting every Nationals game for 1 1/2 months, Denard Span is not in tonight's lineup at Citi Field. Instead, rookie Michael A. Taylor is leading off and starting in center field, one night removed from a memorable major league debut where he had his first two hits, including a two-run homer. Span had started each game since getting the second contest off during the Nats' June 28 doubleheader against the Cubs. In starting the 36 games since, he batting .377/.442/.438 with seven doubles, a triple, six RBIs and 10 steals. He had 18 walks and 17 strikeouts. Span gets a break coming off an 0-for-5 showing Tuesday night against the Mets. Right fielder Jayson Werth misses his second straight game with ankle and shoulder injuries. Bryce Harper will play right with Kevin Frandsen in left. The Nats look to clinch the series victory over New York tonight with Jordan Zimmermann on the hill against Mets right-hander Bartolo Colon. Zimmermann has allowed five runs in 20 1/3 innings (2.21 ERA), striking out 19 and walking one over his last three starts. Colon is coming off one of his best starts of the season, as he held the Phillies to one run in eight innings on Friday. For the Nationals CF Michael A. Taylor 2B Asdrubal Cabrera 3B Anthony Rendon 1B Adam LaRoche SS Ian Desmond RF Bryce Harper C Wilson Ramos LF Kevin Frandsen RHP Jordan Zimmermann For the Mets RF Curtis Granderson 2B Daniel Murphy 3B David Wright 1B Lucas Duda C Travis d'Arnaud LF Matt den Dekker CF Juan Lagares SS Wilmer Flores RHP Bartolo Colon