Diamondbacks at Nationals
Phenom Bryce Harper makes his home debut Tuesday as the Washington Nationals host the Arizona Diamondbacks in the opener of a three-game series. Harper played in his first major league game Saturday, going 1-for-3 with an RBI in a loss at Los Angeles. The 19-year-old outfielder also went 1-for-3 in Sunday's loss to the Dodgers.
Washington returns home after a 2-4 road trip during which it lost the last four games. Prior to the skid, the Nationals had won four in a row and 12 of 14. The Diamondbacks continue their 10-game road trip after winning three of four in Miami and outscoring the Marlins 22-9 in the victories.
Arizona is likely to have a tougher time scoring runs against the Nationals, whose starters lead the major leagues with a 1.78 ERA. Opponents are hitting a paltry .186 against Washington's rotation.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FS Arizona, MASN2 (Washington)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Trevor Cahill (1-2, 3.70 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Jordan Zimmermann (1-1, 1.33 ERA)
Cahill is coming off his second straight rough outing. After allowing seven runs - four earned - over 5 2/3 innings in a loss to Atlanta, the right-hander yielded four runs while retiring one less batter in a setback against Philadelphia on Wednesday. Cahill was superb in his first two starts for Arizona, surrendering two runs and six hits over 13 1/3 frames.
Zimmermann has been fantastic thus far, giving up one earned run in each of his four starts. The 25-year old earned his first win of the season at San Diego on Wednesday when he limited the Padres to four hits and struck out six. Zimmermann is 1-1 in two career outings against Arizona, with both coming last year.
WALK-OFFS
1. One day after Harper made his debut, Tyler Moore did the same for Washington, going 1-for-3 against Los Angeles on Sunday.
2. The Nationals have scored six runs during their losing streak.
3. Diamondbacks starters posted a 1.32 ERA in the four-game series at Miami.