Nationals at Reds
The Washington Nationals might have to continue their three-game series against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on Saturday without their phenom. Highly touted outfielder Bryce Harper, who went 0-for-5 with three strikeouts in Friday's victory, took out his frustrations after his seventh-inning at-bat by slamming his bat off a wall in the tunnel leading to the clubhouse.
Harper's reward was 10 stitches as the bat bounced back and hit him near his left eye, causing a cut and a welt. He remained in the game before being replaced in the ninth. Harper expects to be ready for Saturday's contest, but manager Davey Johnson believes he could miss a few games.
Washington has won two straight following a three-game skid and six of nine. The Reds have captured three of five both overall and at home.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Washington), FS Ohio (Cincinnati)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Jordan Zimmermann (1-3, 2.29 ERA) vs. Reds RH Mat Latos (2-2, 4.93)
Zimmermann is looking to halt a personal two-game losing streak. The 25-year-old yielded three runs over six innings in a loss to Philadelphia on Sunday, walking a season-high four batters. Zimmermann, who has allowed three earned runs or less in each of his six starts, is 1-0 with a 2.12 ERA in three career outings against Cincinnati.
Latos is coming off a superb outing at Pittsburgh in which he struck out a career-high 11 and allowed two hits over six scoreless innings. In his two wins this year, the 24-year-old has yielded a total of six hits over 13 scoreless frames. Latos has pitched well against the Nationals in his career, going 3-1 with a 2.43 ERA in five starts.
WALK-OFFS
1. With three runs in the first inning Friday, the Nationals matched their season total for the opening frame.
2. Washington did not allow a home run in the series opener, keeping its major-league low total at 17.
3. The Reds began a stretch of 20 games in 20 days. Their next off day is May 31.