Washington @ Milwaukee preview
American Family Field
Last Meeting ( Apr 18, 2010 ) Milwaukee 11, Washington 7
The Washington Nationals' bats rose from their slumber in Cincinnati. They're hoping they remain awake despite a change of venue.
The Nationals try for their third straight victory tonight when they begin a three-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park.
After being held to eight runs in its previous five games, Washington erupted for 22 in its next three contests. The offensive surge has helped the Nationals win two consecutive road games after losing 26 of their previous 32 away from home.
On Thursday, the offense and pitching meshed together perfectly as Washington scored six times over the first three innings for Livan Hernandez, who limited Cincinnati to one run while tossing his second complete game of the season. Adam Dunn and Roger Bernardina each homered in the Nationals' 7-1 triumph, Hernandez's first road victory since April 27 against the Chicago Cubs.
With the win, Washington improved to 3-4 on its 10-game road trip. The club now is in position to match its longest winning streak of the season - three games, which it has accomplished four times, most recently from June 8-10.
The chance to equal the streak rests in the hands of Craig Stammen, who has lost two straight decisions.
Stammen, who has recorded just one win in his last 13 starts, turned in a strong performance against Florida on Sunday but received no support from his teammates. The right-hander held the Marlins to one run and six hits in six innings but was the hard-luck loser in a 1-0 decision.
In eight road outings this year, Stammen has a 1-3 record with a 6.15 ERA. The 26-year-old is 1-0 with a 6.55 ERA in two career starts against Milwaukee.
Opposing Stammen will be Chris Narveson, who will be making his 16th start of 2010 after nine relief appearances. He is 7-6 with a 5.66 ERA since joining the Brewers' rotation.
Narveson has won three of his last five decisions, including Saturday's 6-3 triumph over Atlanta in which he allowed just two runs and six hits in six innings.
The 28-year-old has gone 3-3 with a 6.12 ERA in 11 home games this year, including four appearances out of the bullpen. Narveson has never made a start against Washington but is 1-0 in two relief outings.
Milwaukee has won seven of its last 11 games, including a 3-2 triumph over Pittsburgh on Thursday. Yovani Gallardo returned from the disabled list and tossed six scoreless innings while Prince Fielder and Rickie Weeks each homered.
Fielder's blast was his National League-leading 24th of the season, while Weeks increased his season totals to 19 homers and 62 RBIs - both tops in the majors among leadoff hitters.
The Nationals took two of three from the Brewers at Nationals Park in April.