Nationals' lineup for series opener with Orioles + Danny Espinosa injury update

Washington's win over the Miami Marlins on Sunday was their third straight win, and the Nationals' seventh in the last ten, but as hard as they've fought, they still remained 6.0 games in the NL East after the game, and fell to 6.5 after the New York Mets' win on Monday over the Philadelphia Phillies.

Nats' skipper Matt WIlliams told reporters after the win in the series finale with the Fish that he was proud of the way his team has continued to fight in spite of the odds against them and the hole they're in.

"They're playing," Williams said. "They continue to play. They haven't quit from the first day of the regular season and they won't until the end of the season. So I'm proud of them for that.

"I'm proud of them for the way they prepare every day and have a desire to win, so we'll see if we can keep this going tomorrow."

Last night's game was rained out, of course, but it's all clear in the nation's capital tonight, so the Nationals and Orioles will start their three-game series twenty-four hours after they were originally scheduled to and the Nats are going with the same lineup they had set for Monday:

#Nats vs. #Orioles: Rendon 2B, Escobar 3B, Harper RF, Werth LF, Robinson 1B, Desmond SS, Taylor CF, Lobaton C, Gio P pic.twitter.com/mm3OKLq0Ws

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) September 22, 2015

While Williams stuck with Gio Gonzalez for the first of three with the O's in D.C., he did announce some changes to the rotation after tonight when he met with reporters this afternoon:

Scherzer will pitch tomorrow, Roark Thursday and Zimmermann Friday. #Nats

— Chase Hughes (@chasehughesCSN) September 22, 2015

Williams said Jordan Zimmermann, who would otherwise have moved up to Thurs., has a stiff neck, needs another day.

— Chelsea Janes (@chelsea_janes) September 22, 2015

The Nats' skipper also provided an update on Danny Espinosa, who hasn't played since the series opener with Miami last Thursday. Williams said yesterday that the 28-year-old infielder was headed for an MRI on his right hamstring, and apparently the MRI revealed a small tear:

Danny Espinosa has a small tear in the attachment (read: the tendon) of his right hamstring. Been feeling better recently but needs rest.

— James Wagner (@JamesWagnerWP) September 22, 2015

The Nationals and Orioles start their three-game set at 7:05 PM EDT tonight in Nationals Park.