Nationals at Padres
A simple shakeup of the batting order has done wonders for the Washington Nationals, who begin a three-game series against the host San Diego Padres on Monday. The Nationals have gone 5-1 and averaged 6.2 runs per game since manager Dave Martinez moved star Bryce Harper into the leadoff spot on Tuesday.
Wilmer Difo delivered a walk-off RBI single with the bases loaded in the ninth inning on Sunday to give the Nationals a 5-4 win over Philadelphia. Matt Adams homered for the fifth time in six games as he started at first base in place of Ryan Zimmerman, who has missed two games with back soreness but hopes to return Monday as Washington begins a seven-day road trip that concludes against National League West-leading Arizona. The Nationals first need to be careful not to overlook San Diego, which was the victim of a no-hitter by the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday but responded with back-to-back wins to close the series in Monterrey, Mexico. Eric Hosmer belted his fifth homer in Sunday’s 3-0 victory, but Christian Villanueva went 0-for-4 and is hitless in his last 19 at-bats.
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, MASN (Washington), FS San Diego
PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Stephen Strasburg (3-3, 3.47 ERA) vs. Padres RH Tyson Ross (2-2, 3.28)
Strasburg snapped a two-game skid with a strong outing against Pittsburgh on Wednesday, when he allowed three runs - two earned - over seven innings while recording 11 strikeouts. The native of San Diego is 6-2 with a 2.94 ERA in eight career turns against the Padres. Freddy Galvis is 4-for-26 with eight strikeouts against the 29-year-old Strasburg, who starred at San Diego State and owns a 2-1 record and 2.84 ERA in three career starts at Petco Park.
Ross settled for a no-decision against San Francisco on Tuesday despite giving up just one run with nine strikeouts over six frames. The 31-year-old has been a pleasant surprise for the Padres with 40 strikeouts against 13 walks and two home runs allowed over 35 2/3 frames in six starts. Adams has registered four hits in seven at-bats against Ross, who is 2-1 with a 4.76 ERA in six career games (three starts) versus Washington.
WALK-OFFS
1. Adams is 14-for-34 with six home runs and 14 RBIs in his last 10 games.
2. San Diego is 11-1 when opening the scoring but 2-21 when its opponent gets on the board first.
3. Difo has reached base safely in 15 of his last 23 plate appearances.