Game blog: Nats need to make something happen for Ross against Brewers tonight

The Nationals are running out of time to get something going.

Only 41 games remain, and they pretty much have to win every series the rest of the way to have a chance to catch the Mets.

It is impressive to view the impact Yoenis Cespedes has had on the Mets. Last night, driving home from the Nationals game and listening to the Oakland A's broadcast, their announcers commented on how important Cespedes has been to recent playoff runs for the A's and now with what the Mets are trying to do. Of course, he had a ridiculous three-homer, seven-RBI night in Denver leading to a New York 14-9 win.

So with the Mets offense rolling against Colorado again, it goes without saying the Nationals have their work cut out for them.

And they certainly have to take advantage of games against teams with .431 (Brewers), .410 (Marlins) and .408 (Rockies) winning percentages. The Nationals were only 3-3 versus Colorado this season. The Mets have now won nine straight games over the Rockies.

Right-hander Joe Ross (3-5, 3.86) has been a burst of energy for this pitching staff, and he hopes to bounce back from consecutive losses to the Dodgers and the Giants, where he allowed a combined nine earned runs in identical 5-0 losses.

So it is imperative that the Nationals offense gives Ross a little help tonight.

Ross is 2-2 with a 2.55 ERA in four starts at home and defeated the Brewers 7-2 on June 13 in Milwaukee.

Right-hander Taylor Jungmann (7-4, 2.23) lost 4-0 to the Nationals on June 14, but has won five of his last eight starts dating to July 5. He struck out nine on August 16 and held the Phillies scoreless for 6 1/3 innings in a 6-1 victory.

Trea Turner is not in the starting lineup, but with a four-man bench, I expect him to see some time again tonight. It would be nice to see him get his first major league start Sunday in a day-game-after-a-night-game scenario.

Lets go blogging!