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Series Preview The Nationals (55-44) look to keep pace at the top of the NL East when they take on the reeling Cincinnati Reds (51-50). The Reds have lost six in a row, and are winless since the All-Star break. FRIDAY
Fifth starter bolsters Nats’ rotation with calm and precision
Tanner Roark (9-6, 2.91 ERA) vs. Alfredo Simon (12-4, 2.74 ERA) SATURDAY 4:05 P.M., MASN, FS1
Gio Gonzalez (6-5, 3.74 ERA) vs. Johnny Cueto (10-6, 2.18 ERA) SUNDAY 1:10 P.M., MASN
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Doug Fister (9-2, 2.92 ERA) vs. Mat Latos (2-2, 3.15 ERA)
Who’s Hot? Ian Desmond, Nationals: The AllStar break served the 28-year-old shortstop well. In the six games since the mid-summer classic, Desmond has hit .440 and scored four runs.
Who’s Not? Devin Mesoraco, Reds: The All-Star catcher hasn’t looked like one since the break, hitting just 1-for-15 and seeing his average drop from .304 before the break to .288 now.
By the Numbers Entering Friday’s game REDS
In just his second season in the big leagues, Tanner Roark has been one of the most surprising reasons for the Washington Nationals’ success. He holds a 2.91 ERA, the best of any starting pitcher on the team’s roster. In 1202 ⁄ 3 innings pitched, he’s recorded a 1.127 WHIP with 90 strikeouts. “It’s just all of those weapons,” manager Matt Williams said. “He’s got the ability to change on the fly out there.” Roark is an unlikely star, given his route to the Nationals. After a 2008 stint with the independent Frontier League’s Southern Illinois Miners, where he had a 21.41 ERA in two games, Roark was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 25th round. He was traded to the Nationals’ system in 2010, and slowly worked his way up for a shot at pitching at the highest level. Called up in 2013, he’s since delivered with a calm demeanor and steady approach on the mound. Roark is a top 10 player in firstpitch strikes too, according to fangraphs.com. Heading into this weekend’s series against the Cincinnati Reds, Roark ranks eighth, throwing first-pitch strikes at a 66.4 percent clip. The two-seam fastball has been his go-to since he was called up, and he’s been
BRIAN GARFINKEL (GETTY IMAGES)
Nationals
7:10 P.M., MASN
NATS
Roark a Solid Surprise
Tanner Roark, who is set to take the mound Friday against Cincinnati, has given up fewer than three runs in 13 of his 19 starts.
Diagnosing Jordan Right-hander Taylor Jordan, a member of the Nationals’ opening day rotation as a fill-in for Doug Fister, has not pitched since June 5 because of elbow soreness the Nationals are working to precisely diagnose. Jordan recently visited team physician Dr. Wiemi Douoguih for a second opinion “to see what’s going on,” general manager Mike Rizzo said. “He had an MRI. The MRI is fine. We wanted to see, what’s the discomfort coming from?” Jordan underwent Tommy John surgery in 2011. The Nationals are confident his current elbow problem will not lead to a second operation of the same kind. (THE WASHINGTON POST )
able to locate it superbly, confusing batters into taking the pitch inside the strike zone. “[My approach is] attack and keep them on the defensive, and myself on the offensive,” Roark said. “Get first-pitch strikes so I can use the slider, change-up or even the fastball again.” The 27-year-old has been the pride of Wilmington, Ill., a town with a population of less than 6,000 people, since making his Nationals debut. In a cul-de-sac of a local neighborhood, friends and family have gathered to watch the hometown hero pitch on a big-screen television. And Wilmington has plenty to cheer for. Roark’s given up three or more earned runs in a game in
“He’s been a rock for us all year long. ... I feel we have five No. 1 starters.” — N ATS RELIE V ER T Y LER CLIPPA RD, ON THE IMPACT TANNER ROARK HAS HAD ON THE BACK END OF THE ROTATION
only six of his 19 appearances. As Washington’s fifth starter in the rotation, he rounds out a group that’s among the best in baseball. “He’s been a rock for us all year long,” relief pitcher Tyler Clippard said. “A f ter watching our rotation this year, I feel we have f ive No. 1 starters.” JASON BUT T (FOR E XPRESS)
Runs scored 420 389 Runs allowed 349 377
Morales Traded to Seattle: Kendrys Morales is on his way back to Seattle to try to give the Mariners’ struggling offense a boost as they chase a playoff spot. The Minnesota Twins traded Morales to the Mariners on Thursday for minor-league pitcher Stephen Pryor. Morales hit 23 home runs for the Mariners last season, but turned down a $14.1 million qualifying offer from Seattle to become a free agent before moving to Minnesota. (AP)