Game three of three in Turner Field, Atlanta, GA features:
Jason Bergmann (3-5, 4.30) vs Lance Cormier (2-4, 6.69)
The Washington Nationals suffered their second straight defeat at the hands of the Atlanta Braves last night at Turner Field where the home team took a 9-2 decision. The eigth straight road loss overall for Washington is also the fifth straight loss on the Braves home field. The Nationals turn to sinking-fastballer Jason Bergmann on Sunday as they attempt to avoid being swept out of Hotlanta.
The Braves counter with Lance Cormier, a twenty-seven year old right-hander out of Lafayette, Louisiana who has a (3-3) record in his 8 career appearances against the Nationals, three of which came as a starter. Cormier's allowed 30 hits, 12 walks, and 2 HR's for 16 ER's over 20.1 innings against the Nationals franchise for a somewhat bloated 7.08 ERA, though he has yet to face them this season.
On the other hand, Jason Bermann's faced the Braves three times this season, with a (2-1) record including one win in Atlanta this past April where Bergmann pitched 6.0 innings of one hit ball with no runs allowed, and a meeting in May in DC in which Bermann lasted 8 innings and allowed only 2 hits and 1 run on a home run.
In his most recent start against Atlanta, Bergmann only lasted four innings in a 4-1 loss to the Braves with Bergmann leaving the game early having just returned from the DL. Bergmann's (2-2) in 5 career starts against the Braves, with 20 hits against, 9 runs scored, 2 HR's hit, and 15 walks issued while striking out 36 in 11 appearances during which he's posted a 2.34 ERA against the NL East Rivals.
All of the numbers are with the Nationals avoiding the sweep, except the fact that even if Cormier gives up his six and a half run average, the Braves have scored seven and nine in the first two games...
Can someone explain what is going on with Zimmerman ?
Does anyone watch the Nationals ?