Washington @ Milwaukee preview
American Family Field
Last Meeting ( Jul 23, 2010 ) Washington 5, Milwaukee 7
The Milwaukee Brewers have been racking up the wins lately. They may have to try to continue their surge without a key contributor.
With the status of All-Star Corey Hart in doubt, the Brewers attempt to notch their ninth victory in 13 games on Saturday when they host the Washington Nationals.
Entering with 58 RBIs in his previous 61 games, Hart suffered a right wrist injury in the third inning of Friday's 7-5 comeback victory when he crashed into the wall while making an attempt at a fly ball in foul territory in right field. Hart finished the inning in the field, but was removed for a pinch-hitter in the bottom of the frame.
Hart's replacement filled in admirably, however. After striking out in the third, Jim Edmonds delivered an RBI single in the fifth inning before belting a two-run homer in the seventh that snapped a 5-5 tie.
After leaving the game, Hart underwent X-rays, which proved negative. But Milwaukee's RBI leader (70) will have an MRI done on Saturday to determine if there is any significant damage to the wrist.
With Hart's status unknown, the Brewers look for their third straight win when they face J.D. Martin, who has yet to register a victory on the road this season.
Owning a record of 0-4 with a 4.76 ERA in six starts away from home, Martin will be trying to rebound from a disappointing outing in Cincinnati on Monday. In that 7-2 loss to the Reds, the 27-year old surrendered six runs and six hits in just 5 1/3 innings.
Martin, who is 0-2 with a 6.39 ERA in two career outings against Milwaukee, has had considerable trouble with Prince Fielder. In six at-bats versus the right-hander, Fielder has two home runs and three RBIs.
Opposing Martin will be Manny Parra, who has lost each of his last two starts. On Sunday against the Atlanta Braves, Parra was battered for 10 runs and 10 hits in 5 1/3 frames of an 11-6 loss.
Parra will be making his 28th appearance of the season and 11th start. The left-hander is 2-4 with a 6.35 ERA as a starter.
In seven career appearances against Washington, including four starts, Parra is 1-1 with a 6.85 ERA. He pitched three times in relief vs. the Nationals earlier this year, tossing a total of 1 2/3 scoreless innings.
The 27-year old has posted a 1-4 record and 4.74 ERA in 12 games - five starts - at home in 2010.
Cristian Guzman has had considerable success against Parra over his career, going 6-for-12 with a home run and two RBIs. Ryan Zimmerman is hitting .636 (7-for-11) vs. the southpaw with a homer and five RBIs.
Washington's loss on Friday was its fifth in seven games and 27th in its last 35 road contests. The Nationals fell to 3-5 on their 10-game road trip.
Michael Morse provided most of the offense for Washington in the 7-5 setback, posting his first career two-homer game and driving in four runs.