When the Washington Nationals take the field Friday night for Game 2 of a four-game series against the Atlanta Braves, they’ll be doing so with a new-look battery consisting of Tanner Roark and Jose Lobaton.
The Nationals, who routed Atlanta, 15-1, in Thursday’s opener and are looking to win three in a row for just the second time since the All-Star break, recalled Roark from Syracuse earlier today.
Last year, in his first full season as a big league starter, the former 25th-round pick was a revelation for Washington, going 15-10 with a 2.85 ERA. His 1.09 WHIP was the eighth best in the National League, just ahead of teammate Stephen Strasburg. Despite his strong campaign, when the Nats signed free agent Max Scherzer this offseason, Roark was the odd man out of the rotation. Although the bulk of Roark’s work this season has come in relief, he’s made six starts as an injury fill-in, going 3-1 with a 5.61 ERA. His most recent start came on June 28th, when he allowed 12 hits and eight runs in just 3 1/3 innings against the Phillies.
The 28-year-old righty was sent down 10 days ago so that he could work as a starter and get stretched out in case the Nationals needed a possible rotation replacement for rookie Joe Ross, who’s on an innings count. Instead, Roark will step in for Strasburg, who exited his last start early due to back discomfort. Even though Roark will be limited to around 85 pitches, the Washington bullpen is fresh after only two relievers (Sammy Solis and Rafael Martin) took the mound in Thursday’s rout. “Everybody’s rested and ready,” manager Matt Williams said.
On the other end of the battery tonight is catcher Jose Lobaton. The Nats’ backup backstop is hitting .200 on the season and has started just once in the past 12 games, but is 7-for-13 lifetime off Braves starter Julio Teheran, including two home runs.
Here are the complete lineups:
BRAVES
Nick Markakis, RF
Cameron Maybin, CF
Freddie Freeman, 1B
Adonis Garcia, 3B
Jace Peterson, 2B
Michael Bourn, LF
Julio Teheran, RHP
NATIONALS
Jayson Werth, RF
Anthony Rendon, 2B
Bryce Harper, CF
Ryan Zimmerman, 1B
Clint Robinson, LF
Yunel Escobar, 3B
Ian Desmond, SS
Jose Lobaton, C
Tanner Roark, RHP
