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The Washington Nationals ended their latest losing streak. They hope Tony Armas can bounce back from his latest arm injury. After snapping a five-game skid, the Nationals send Armas to the mound for the first time in a month when they visit the Florida Marlins on Monday in the opener of a three-game series at Dolphin Stadium. It took 11 innings to do it, but the Nationals (39-54) ended their losing streak Sunday with an 8-4 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates . Nick Johnson drove in two runs with a tiebreaking double in the 11th as Washington avoided a second consecutive series sweep. A sixth straight loss for the last-place Nationals would have equaled the team's longest losing streak of the season, set from April 9-14. Washington has lost at least four in a row seven times this year. Armas (6-4, 4.44 ERA) is making his first start since being put on the disabled list because of a strained right forearm, the latest in a series of arm issues during his career. He missed most of 2003 and part of 2004 after having surgery to repair a torn labrum, and sat out the final month of last season with shoulder discomfort, which led to another surgery in September. The right-hander had one of his worst outings of the season against Florida, surrendering five runs and five hits in 2 1-3 innings in a 6-5 Nationals loss on May 3. He is 3-9 with a 5.64 ERA in 14 starts against the Marlins. In his last start, Armas gave up four runs and eight hits with two walks in 3 2-3 innings in a 6-3 loss to the Boston Red Sox on June 19. He has given up 11 runs in his last 6 2-3 innings and hasn't won in three starts since June 4, when he beat the Milwaukee Brewers. Armas will face a Marlins team that equaled a franchise single-game record with four home runs in a 9-3 win over the Houston Astros on Sunday. Hanley Ramirez , Wes Helms , Jeremy Hermida and Mike Jacobs each homered for Florida (40-50), which salvaged a split of the four-game series. It was the third time this season and 28th in franchise history the Marlins had four home runs in a game, and they did it without All-Star Miguel Cabrera , who was given the day off. Cabrera, who leads the team with 15 home runs, is 2-for-25 (.080) in his last eight games. He had a string of 20 straight games of reaching base end after going 0-for-4 on Saturday. ''Miguel has played every day. He's played 89 straight games, I just felt this way, it's a hot day, and he almost gets two days off,'' Florida manager Joe Girardi said. Ricky Nolasco (6-6, 5.00) starts for the Marlins as they try to win consecutive games for the just the second time this month. Nolasco, though, has had two straight terrible starts. The right-hander lasted 1 2-3 innings in a 17-3 loss to the New York Mets on July 8, giving up nine runs, six hits and three walks. In his previous start, Nolasco yielded seven runs and seven hits in four innings in a 9-1 loss to the Nationals on July 3. The rookie previously faced Washington twice in relief. The Nationals lead the season series 5-4.
Hmm.. Kearns isn't even starting. I surely wanted Escobar to start, but not in Kearns' spot even though he has struggled. It's probably good for him to have a day off though after that rough series.
quick 3 outs. They should crush this pitcher like they did in early July.
LOL. you guys are becoming like Phillies fans.
1-2-3 for TA2
What is wrong with this offense??!!
Quote from: "metssuck"LOL. you guys are becoming like Phillies fans.oh man! Am I? Crap...I need counseling!
