On the Hill...

Game two of three against the visiting Florida Marlins will see the return to the Washington Nationals' starting rotation of Mike "Lefty" O'Connor, who will oppose another young left-hander Andrew Miller on the mound in Nationals Park tonight at 7:10 pm EST.  

Mike O'Connor (1-0, 6.35 ERA) last faced the Marlins back on July 18th, 2006, throwing 5.1 innings and allowing 8 hits, 5 ER(3 in the first inning), 2 HR's, and 2 walks in a 7-6 Nationals' loss in which O'Connor received no decision. The only other time O'Connor's pitched against the Marlins, the then-rookie lefty didn't last past the first, giving up 4 hits, 5 ER, 1 walk, and 2 HR's before being replaced at the start of the second. So it seems that if O'Connor can survive the first in tact, the Nationals might have a shot at avoiding losing their fourth straight to Florida. That's a combined (0-1) with a 14.21 ERA and 12 hits, 10 runs, and 4 HR's in 6.1 IP for O'Connor against the Fish.

Since coming over in the Miguel Cabrera trade from Detroit, Florida's lefty Andrew Miller is (2-2) with a 7.96 ERA over 31.2 IP in 7 starts as a Marlin this season, with 52 hits and 28 ER's allowed. Miller has yet to record a decision in two starts against DC over his three big league campaigns, allowing 14 hits and 9 ER in 8.1 innings pitched. 

Tonight's Starting Lineup for Your Washington Nationals...

Felipe Lopez 2B

Cristian Guzman SS

Ryan Zimmerman 3B

Nick Johnson 1B

Lastings Milledge CF

Austin Kearns RF

Elijah Dukes LF

Jesus Flores C

Mike O'Connor P

Nationals #'s Against Andrew Miller...

Cristian Guzman - 3 for 4, .750 AVG, 1 3B, 3 RBI's, 1 SB.

Nick Johnson - 1 for 4, .250 AVG, 1 2B, 1 RBI.

Felipe Lopez - 3 for 5, .600 AVG, 1 2B, 1 RBI.

Ryan Zimmerman - 2 for 4, .500 AVG, 1 2B. 

Lastings Milledge - 3 for 5, .600 AVG, 1 2B, 3 RBI's.

Nationals' Starter Mike O'Connor Better Watch Out For...

Wes Helms - 1 for 4, .250 AVG, 1 HR, 1 RBI.

Hanley Ramirez - 1 for 3, .333 AVG, 1 HR, 1 RBI. (currently hitting .336)

Dan Uggla - 2 for 4, .500 AVG, 1 2B

Check the NatCast if you're heading to Nationals Park...(though you're probably on your way as this goes to press...)

Game Time 7:10 pm EST. The Nationals have lost three of their last four, with tonight and tomorrow's game at home in DC, and then a seven-game trip through New York and back down to Baltimore starting Monday night...(ed. note - "Bring on the Mediocre-Mets!!! But first take care of the Fish...")