Game 42 lineups: Nats at Braves

By Byron Kerr

Nationals

May 20, 2017, 8:41am

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ATLANTA - Daniel Murphy is again in a nice groove.

The second baseman has hit .417 (5-for-12) over the last three games with a double and two homers. He has hit homers now in back-to-back games. The last time he went back-to-back-to-back was July 9-17, 2016, spanning the All-Star break. Five of his eight homers have come with two strikes. Murphy also ranks fourth in the National League in hits (51) and tied for sixth in RBIs (32).

It is Jayson Werth's 38th birthday. Bryce Harper talked about the importance of the veteran left fielder here. Werth has reached base safely in 11 straight games. He is hitting .381 (16-for-42) with two doubles, three homers, nine walks, 10 runs, one stolen base and five RBIs during this 11 game stretch. His .401 on-base percentage is 12th in the National League.

Right-hander Max Scherzer looks to snap the Nationals' three-game skid. He arrives at 4-2 with a 2.80 ERA. The Braves are countering with veteran Bartolo ColÃ³n (2-4, 6.80).

WASHINGTON NATIONALS at ATLANTA BRAVES
Where: SunTrust Park
Gametime: 4:10 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, 1500 AM, XM 186/Internet 869, MLB.com
Weather: Mostly cloudy, 85 degrees, 15 percent chance of rain, 50 percent humidity, wind 9 mph toward right field

NATIONALS (25-16)
SS Trea Turner
LF Jayson Werth
RF Bryce Harper
1B Ryan Zimmerman
2B Daniel Murphy
3B Anthony Rendon
C Matt Wieters
CF Michael A. Taylor
RHP Max Scherzer

BRAVES (17-22)
CF Ender Inciarte
2B Brandon Phillips
RF Nick Markakis
LF Matt Kemp
C Tyler Flowers
1B Jace Peterson
SS Dansby Swanson
3B Rio Ruiz

RHP Bartolo ColÃ³n