Game 86 lineups: Brewers at Nats

By Byron Kerr

Nationals

July 06, 2016, 6:54am

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The Nationals have struggled against the Brewers this season, falling in four of five games. They are also 0-2 against Milwaukee at Nats Park.

The offense has been limping to the All-Star break. Take out the 12 runs scored against the Reds on Sunday and the Nats have combined for only nine runs in the other four games in July. They have struck out 36 times in those five games. Manager Dusty Baker acknowledged the offense needs to pick up the slack for the starting pitching.

Right-hander Tanner Roark (7-5, 2.93 ERA) opposes right-hander Matt Garza (1-1, 3.74 ERA). Roark is 2-0 with a 2.42 ERA in four career starts against the Brewers. He tossed seven shutout innings last week in a 3-2 win.

In an effort to rest some of his starters, Baker said Sunday that he would rest shortstop Danny Espinosa in today's game before they embark for New York.

Baker has also flip-flopped Daniel Murphy and Bryce Harper. Anthony Rendon has been moved up the order and Jose Lobaton gives Wilson Ramos a day off.

MILWAUKEE BREWERS at WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 4:05 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN2, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, XM 187, MLB.com
Weather: Mostly cloudy, 90 degrees, 15 percent chance of rain, wind 5 mph in from right field

NATIONALS (50-35)
CF Ben Revere
LF Jayson Werth
2B Daniel Murphy
RF Bryce Harper
3B Anthony Rendon
1B Ryan Zimmerman
SS Stephen Drew
C Jose Lobaton
RHP Tanner Roark

BREWERS (37-46)
SS Jonathan Villar
2B Scooter Gennett
C Jonathan Lucroy
1B Chris Carter
3B Aaron Hill
CF Kirk Nieuwenhuis
RF Hernan Perez
LF Ramon Flores
RHP Matt Garza