THE Washington nationals looking to win just their second home series of the season when they face the Detroit Tigers in a rubber match of a three-game series on Sunday
Washington’s only series win at Nationals Park was when it took three of four games against the Chicago Cubs on May 1-4
At 9-15, Washington has the worst home record in the National League.
THE Nationalswho ended a four-game losing streak with a 5-2 win on Saturday after losing the series opener 8-6 on Friday, will look to his ace in Sunday’s series finale
Right-hander Josiah Gray (3-5, 2.73) held the Miami Marlins to two runs (one earned) on seven hits with five strikeouts and three walks in a 5-4 loss in his last departure last Tuesday.
Gray has allowed two or fewer earned runs in seven of his last eight starts.
After conceding three home runs in his first start of the season on April 1, he has conceded just two in his last eight starts combined.
“He threw the ball very well, (and) he has an incredible game plan and routine,” Nationals manager Dave Martinez said of Gray, who will make his first career appearance against the tigers. “He wants to fight. He wants to dive deep into the games
“I think he learned in those high-leverage situations to control the heartbeat and get out of it.”
Saturday, the Nationals led 2-1 before taking the lead in the fifth on a two-out, two-run single from Lane Thomas on the left. THE Nationals extended their lead to 4-2 in the sixth on a Keibert Ruiz single. Jeimer Candelario, who hit a solo homer in the fourth, capped the score in the eighth with a double that scored Thomas, who hit a first double
“Those guys are good hitters too, professional hitters,” said Detroit starter Alex Faedo, who allowed three runs on five hits and no walks in five innings Saturday. “They took advantage of a few mistakes and also had a few decent shots. Give them a boost.”
Candelario is hitting .522 (12 for 23) with four doubles, a triple, two home runs, five RBIs and five runs in his last six games.
“The most important thing is to get out of your mind trying to hit home runs every innings,” Martinez said of Candelario. “You just have to stay on the ball. He has enough power that when he hits the ball and puts it in the air, he does home runs. … That’s who he is.”
Thomas, who went 3-for-4 with two RBIs on Saturday, reached base in 17 straight games, hitting .348 in that span.
THE tigers will counter with left-hander Joey Wentz (1-3, 6.38), who had three runs on six hits with three strikeouts and a walk in just 2 2/3 innings of a 5-3 victory against the Seattle Mariners last Sunday
“I didn’t contribute to the victory,” said Wentz, who will make his first career appearance against the Nationals on Sunday. “But nonetheless, great job from the guys.
–Field-Level Media