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Bucs, Nats resume series in DC

Fri 2nd, May 2008

(Sports Network) - Emerging southpaw John Lannan shoots for a third straight victory tonight when the streaking Washington Nationals host the Pittsburgh Pirates in game No. 2 of a four-game set at Nationals Park.

Lannan, a 23-year-old native of Long Beach, New York, opened his season with two losses and a no-decision in three starts, but has since strung together two victories, defeating Atlanta and the Chicago Cubs.

In the two wins, on April 22 and 27, he tossed 14 scoreless innings while allowing just nine hits. In fact, over his last three starts, he's allowed just 12 hits and one run in 20 innings.

He'd been tagged for 16 hits and eight runs in his initial 10 2/3 innings of the season.

Lannan has never faced the Pirates.

Pittsburgh counters with lefty Phil Dumatrait, who's making his first start of the season after 10 consecutive relief appearances. The former first-round draft choice of the Boston Red Sox is taking over the starting slot of veteran Matt Morris, who was released.

Dumatrait reached the majors last season with the Cincinnati Reds and was 0-4 with a 15.00 earned run average in six starts.

He's pitched 20 2/3 innings from the bullpen this season and has allowed 22 hits and nine earned runs.

The Bakersfield, California native made one start against the Nationals last season and lost, allowing eight hits and six runs in 3 1/3 innings.

On Thursday, Austin Kearns' single to right scored Cristian Guzman with the go-ahead run in the bottom of the eighth frame, leading Washington to a 3-2 victory over Pittsburgh.

The suddenly red-hot Nationals have won four in a row, six of seven and seven of nine. Luis Ayala (1-1) pitched a flawless frame for the victory and Jon Rauch closed the door for his sixth save.

Kearns finished 2-for-4 and Wil Nieves drove in a pair of runs for the Nationals, who improved to 6-2 on their 11-game homestand.

John Grabow (1-1) was saddled with the loss for the Pirates, who have dropped five of their last seven games. Freddy Sanchez and Ryan Doumit homered.

The Nationals should have catcher Paul Lo Duca back in the lineup this evening, as the backstop has been activated from the disabled list after missing the last two weeks with a hand contusion.

To make room for him on the roster, the Nats placed reliever Chad Cordero on the 15-day DL.

Pittsburgh went 4-2 against the Nationals last season, with a 2-1 mark at RFK Stadium. The 2006 season series was tied at three games apiece.

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