Atlanta @ Washington preview
Nationals Park
Last Meeting ( Jul 21, 2012 ) Atlanta 4, Washington 0
The Atlanta Braves and Washington Nationals are scheduled to play a doubleheader on Saturday. Considering the nature of Friday's chaotic series opener, the National League East rivals may feel like they've already played a twinbill. Atlanta rallied from a nine-run deficit to seize a one-run lead before stud closer Craig Kimbrel yielded a solo homer to Danny Espinosa to force extra innings. Paul Janish plated Dan Uggla with an RBI single in the 11th inning to hand the Braves a wild 11-10 victory.
The two-game swing in the standings pulled second-place Atlanta to within 2 1/2 games of Washington. The Braves could find themselves within a half-game of the division lead should they ride the momentum of Friday's series opener into a doubleheader sweep. The victory was Atlanta's third in nine meetings against Washington.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, PTV (Atlanta), MASN (Washington)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Randall Delgado (4-9, 4.52 ERA) vs. Nationals LH John Lannan (NR)
Delgado has lost four of his last five starts - with the lone no-decision coming against Washington on June 29. The 22-year-old Panama native permitted four runs on eight hits in four innings in an eventual 5-4 win by the Nationals. Delgado recorded a quality start in his last outing versus the Chicago Cubs on July 4 - but hasn't pitched since.
In need of arms, the Nationals are sending their 2009 opening day starter to the mound in the nightcap. Lannan, who has gone 6-8 with a 4.60 ERA with Triple-A Syracuse in 2012, will make his season debut with Washington. The 27-year-old posted a 10-13 mark with a 3.70 ERA in 2011 with the Nationals.
WALK-OFFS
1. Atlanta manager Fredi Gonzalez announced that veteran 3B Chipper Jones will not be in the starting lineup for the first game - while C Brian McCann will not start the nightcap.
2. Ryan Zimmerman homered for the second straight contest as his three-run blast gave Washington a 6-0 lead. Zimmerman is hitless in four career at-bats versus Ben Sheets and 1-for-2 against Delgado.
3. Dan Uggla has been struggling at the plate, but his first three-hit performance in six weeks is a step in the right direction. Uggla is 0-for-10 in his career versus Edwin Jackson, but a decidedly better 9-for-24 against Lannan.