Nationals at Padres
Josh Naylor was expected to be sent back to the minors any day now, but the rookie outfielder might be sticking around with the San Diego Padres a while longer. The 21-year-old Canadian has impressed in his short stint with the Padres, who continue their four-game series against the visiting Washington Nationals on Saturday.
San Diego won the first two games of the series by identical 5-4 scores, with rookie Fernando Tatis Jr. providing a spark from the leadoff spot by going 4-for-6 with a home run and two RBIs in his first two contests since missing 34 with a strained left hamstring. Naylor drove in the tying run in the ninth inning of Friday’s comeback victory and recorded his first career stolen base before scoring the winning run, bolstering his case to stay on the roster when Franchy Cordero (elbow) returns. “We know Josh is going to hit,” Padres manager Andy Green told reporters. “We’ll continue to make determinations on our roster in the future. Obviously, you play well, you get big hits, everyone is going to be inclined to keep you here, and I think Josh is doing some of that.” Washington has lost two straight following a four-game winning streak despite the play of Brian Dozier, who has recorded 12 hits in his last 28 at-bats.
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, MASN (Washington), FS San Diego
PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Max Scherzer (3-5, 3.06 ERA) vs. Padres LH Eric Lauer (5-4, 4.18)
Scherzer struck out a season-high 15 batters over eight innings while allowing one run and three hits in Sunday’s 4-1 win over Cincinnati. The six-time All-Star threw a season-high 120 pitches in the victory and owns a 0.90 ERA over his last three turns. Manny Machado is 4-for-31 with 15 strikeouts against Scherzer, who is 3-2 with a 2.37 ERA in 10 career starts versus San Diego – including 1-1 with a 1.96 mark in four outings at Petco Park.
Lauer won his third straight start with a strong outing against Philadelphia on Monday, allowing one run and two hits in six innings. The 24-year-old native of Ohio has gone 3-0 with a 1.50 ERA in his last four turns. Lauer did not factor in the decision after pitching into the sixth inning against Washington on April 27 and owns a 2.31 ERA in two career starts versus the club.
WALK-OFFS
1. Washington 3B Anthony Rendon has reached base safely in 23 straight games, hitting .341 with five home runs and 21 RBIs over that stretch.
2. The Padres are planning to have a reliever start Sunday’s series finale.
3. Nationals OF Gerardo Parra is batting .286 with three homers and 12 RBIs since joining the team on May 9.