Game two of three in RFK Stadium, Washington, DC features:
Jonathan Sanchez (1-2, 5.30) vs Joel Hanrahan (3-2, 5.90)
Washington lost their seventh straight game last night, and the first of a six-game homestand. The Nationals have two more, tonight and tomorrow afternoon against the San Francisco Giants and three games against Florida starting Monday afternoon.
The Giants throw a second straight starter who been used mostly as a reliever this season, Jonathan Sanchez, who has started four games in his two MLB seasons, but gets his first start of the 2007 season in place of rookie phenom Tim Lincecum, whom the Giants have taken to resting.
Sanchez has appeared in 27 games in relief for the Giants with a (1-2) record and 5.30 ERA in 35.2 innings. In 4 games as a starter last season, Sanchez was (1-1) with a 7.36 ERA. The Nationals have hit Sanchez hard, however, scoring 3 runs on four hits in 3.1 IP to saddle Sanchez with an 8.10 ERA against the franchise.
Washington starter Joel Hanrahan has faced the Giants franchise only once in his brief 6 game stint as a Major League starter this season. On 8/9 in San Fran, the Giants managed 7 hits, but only 1 run, while Hanrahan struck out 2 and walked 4.
Hanrahan walked 5 in his last start in Colorado, which was a nightmarish reminder of what every pitcher who passed through the Rockies has been forced to endure. 9 runs on 8 hits, 1 HR, in 2.2 innings pitched.
...Keep an eye out for Felipe Lopez, who was 1 for 4 last night against the Giants, but is 34 for 99 for a .343 career average against San Francisco, including 6 doubles, 2 triples, and 2 HR's in 99 at bats.
Does anyone watch the Nationals ? Can they finally break the losing streak ? Find out at 7:05 pm EST.