Yunel Escobar out; Bryce Harper looks for first homer in Pittsburgh (with lineups)

PITTSBURGH - The Pirates will look to seek revenge on the Nationals, who swept the Bucs on June 19-21 in Washington. The Nats outscored the Pirates 19-3 in the series, which included Max Scherzer's first career no-hitter.

Pirates left-hander Francisco Liriano, who was on the wrong side of Scherzer's gem at Nationals Park, takes the mound tonight. Liriano hasn't pitched since before the All-Star break with his last start coming back on July 12. The 10-year-veteran has posted a 1.98 ERA in his past four outings at PNC Park.

Yunel Escobar is not in the Nationals lineup, as expected, after leaving yesterday's 4-3 win over the Mets in the middle of his first at-bat in the second inning. Escobar was injured while trying to check his swing. X-rays taken during the game on his left hand and wrist were negative.

Danny Espinosa makes his eighth start of the season at third base with Escobar out. Espinosa, who drove in the game-winning run yesterday, was 4-for-13 (.308) in the Mets series.

Dan Uggla starts at second base for only the fourth time this month. The 35-year-old is just 1-for-19 (.053) in July.

PNC Park is the only National League ballpark Bryce Harper hasn't homered in. The Nationals slugger is batting .182 (4-for-22) in six career games in Pittsburgh. He did smash a solo home run off Liriano on June 20.

For the Nationals:

CF Michael A. Taylor
3B Danny Espinosa
RF Bryce Harper
C Wilson Ramos
LF Clint Robinson
SS Ian Desmond
2B Dan Uggla
1B Tyler Moore
RHP Doug Fister

For the Pirates:

RF Gregory Polanco
2B Neil Walker
CF Andrew McCutchen
LF Starling Marte
SS Jung Ho Kang
1B Pedro Alvarez
C Francisco Cervelli
3B Brent Morel
LHP Francisco Liriano