Nationals at Diamondbacks
Pitching and defense have dominated the first three contests of the Washington Nationals’ four-game set against the host Arizona Diamondbacks, and the visitors have had the upper hand. Washington looks to right-hander Jeremy Hellickson as it goes for the four-game sweep of the National League West-leading Diamondbacks on Sunday.
Washington has won the first three games despite scoring only seven runs thanks to a pitching staff that has held Arizona to a single run in each contest. The Nationals have won 12 of their last 14 to surge five games over .500 following an 11-16 start. The Diamondbacks have lost a season-high four straight games and are assured of dropping their first series of the season. Arizona hopes right-hander Zack Godley can beat the Nationals for the second time in just over two weeks after earning the win April 27 in Washington.
TV: 8:08 p.m. ET, ESPN
PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Jeremy Hellickson (1-0, 2.28 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks RH Zack Godley (4-2, 3.83)
Hellickson has allowed three or fewer runs in all five of his starts and hasn’t given up a run in 12 1/3 innings across his last two outings. The 31-year-old was perfect through six innings last time out at San Diego, and he finished with eight strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings. Hellickson is 0-3 with a 4.94 ERA in five starts against Arizona.
After starting the season with two strong outings, Godley has recorded only one quality start in his last five games. The 28-year-old gave up four runs in 5 2/3 innings in a no-decision against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday, as he was hurt by four walks. Godley is 3-1 with a 4.00 ERA in six games (four starts) against the Nationals.
WALK-OFFS
1. Arizona LF David Peralta, who is 9-for-26 during a six-game hitting streak, is 2-for-4 with two homers versus Hellickson.
2. Nationals C Pedro Severino is 7-for-21 during a six-game hitting streak.
3. Washington placed 1B Ryan Zimmerman on the 10-day disabled list with a strained oblique and added veteran 1B Mark Reynolds from Triple-A Syracuse.