Washington @ Cincinnati preview
Great American Ball Park
Last Meeting ( Aug 18, 2011 ) Cincinnati 1, Washington 3
THE STORY: Brandon Phillips feels right at home batting in the leadoff position. Riding an eight-game hitting streak since once again assuming the role, Phillips will look to continue his hot hand when the Cincinnati Reds open a three-game series against the visiting Washington Nationals. Dontrelle Willis will look to secure his first win of the season as Cincinnati vies for its fourth victory in five games. He'll have a strong chance, considering the Nationals have mustered just three runs in their last three games.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MASN2, FSOH
PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Chien-Ming Wang (2-2, 4.33 ERA) vs. Reds LH Dontrelle Willis (0-3, 4.14 ERA)
After a pair of brutal losses, Wang has slowly worked out the kinks. The 31-year-old Taiwan native won his next two starts before settling for a no-decision in his last trip to the mound. He permitted three runs on five hits in Washington's 5-4 triumph over the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday. Wang won his lone career start against the Reds on Aug. 16. He yielded four runs on seven hits in 6 1/3 innings, but picked up the win nonetheless.
Willis yielded three runs on eight hits in six innings, but settled for a no-decision in a 5-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday. The 29-year-old California native hasn't been particularly poor on the mound. In fact, he's been a victim of three blown saves this season. Willis is facing the Nationals for the first time since Sept. 4, 2007.
ABOUT THE NATIONALS (62-67): Washington's offense was a no-show during the final three contests of its four-game series with the National League West-leading Arizona Diamondbacks. The Nationals went 1-for-29 with runners in scoring position and subsequently lost all three contests. After collecting four multi-hit games in his previous seven contests, Ian Desmond went 0-for-3 in an 8-1 loss to the Diamondbacks. Jayson Werth, who sat out Wednesday's game with a strained groin, returned to the lineup and went 0-for-4. Veteran catcher Ivan Rodriguez, who is nursing a right oblique strain, will play five innings for Single-A Potomac on Saturday.
ABOUT THE REDS (64-66): Phillips is batting .429 (15-for-35) during his hitting streak since moving to the top of the lineup. He also has seven runs scored and seven RBIs in eight games. The team fared well last season with Phillips batting leadoff, going 43-29. Phillips has not collected a hit in three career at-bats versus Wang. Joey Votto homered in both games of Wednesday's impromptu doubleheader against the Florida Marlins. The reigning National League MVP is 16-for-32 (.500) with six homers and 13 RBIs during his 10-game hitting streak.
FINAL PITCH: "I was pretty shaken. ... I wished I had a chance to talk to him, and cheer him up like he’s done me in the past." - Washington manager Davey Johnson, on former Cy Young Award winner Mike Flanagan, who committed suicide on Wednesday.