Game 99 lineups: Nats vs. Rockies (game postponed)

The Nationals wanted to win at least three of four in Atlanta this weekend. But they instead hold steady at 6 1/2 games back in the National League East after splitting four games, falling 7-1 in Sunday night's series finale at SunTrust Park.

Now the Nats return home for 10 games through July 31, beginning with four games against the Colorado Rockies. The Dodgers and Braves also visit D.C. this week and next. The Rockies are in a mile-high tailspin, losers of seven out of their first nine games coming out the All-Star break. Colorado snapped a six-game skid with an 8-4 win over the New York Yankees on Sunday.

Tonight's matchup has right-hander Erick Fedde (1-1, 3.50 ERA) taking on 22-year-old Peter Lambert (2-1, 6.06).

Fedde pitched six innings against the Orioles last week, allowing one run on just 66 pitches in a no-decision.

"Yeah, I was pretty happy with the way it went," Fedde said following that outing. "Able to get through six, with a lead is always nice. Both my breaking balls were a little off in the first couple of innings, and I think they really started to pick up later. Maybe I was still getting decent results, but I felt a lot better with, like, the sharpness of them.

"Sinker was great today. When I'm on, I feel like that's my best pitch. Today was good. Ground balls prove it."

Triple-A Fresno pitching coach Brad Holman helped Fedde work on getting more power to his fastball.

"Velocity was a little down when I was up here, just getting some extension," Fedde said. "For me, that's what comes with my deception, I guess. Especially when I get good extension, my sinker is really good. Brad Holman in Triple-A helped me out a lot with that, and then my short time in Double-A just felt maybe a little refresher."

And Fedde hopes these starts will help him find a way to get a permanent spot with the Nats as their fifth starter.

"I hope so. That's always my goal," Fedde said. "My goal is to be a part of this team. I'd like to think you're not going to help everybody out up here. Whatever they decide, I have to go with."

Former Nationals Ian Desmond and Daniel Murphy are starting for the Rockies. Mark Reynolds was designated for assignment by the Rockies on Sunday.

A big concern for the Nationals heading into tonight's game is the status of first baseman Ryan Zimmerman, who appeared to injure his right foot running down the line early in Sunday night's game at Atlanta. An MRI was scheduled for today.

Update: Tonight's game has been postponed due to incoming inclement weather. The game has been rescheduled for Wednesday, July 24 at 1:05 p.m. Wednesday's second game will be the previously scheduled 7:05 p.m. matchup.

Major League Baseball, not the Nationals, made the decision to postpone Monday's contest because of the threat of approaching storms. Per league policy, the umpires and Major League Baseball make such postponement decisions for games scheduled after the All-Star break.

The Nats confirmed right-hander Stephen Strasburg will start Tuesday night's game here against the Rockies. The Rockies will stay with right-hander Peter Lambert.

COLORADO ROCKIES at WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 7:05 p.m. EDT (postponed)
TV: MASN, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, 1500 AM, Nationals Radio Network, MLB.com
Weather: Thunderstorms, 83 degrees, 60 percent chance of precipitation, winds 10 mph in from left field

NATIONALS (52-46)

SS Trea Turner
RF Adam Eaton
3B Anthony Rendon
LF Juan Soto
1B Matt Adams
2B Brian Dozier
CF Victor Robles
C Yan Gomes
RHP Erick Fedde

ROCKIES (47-52)

RF Charlie Blackmon
SS Trevor Story
CF David Dahl
3B Nolan Arenado
1B Daniel Murphy
2B Ryan McMahon
LF Raimel Tapia
C Chris Iannetta
RHP Peter Lambert