Nationals at Tigers
The Washington Nationals have won eight of their last 10 contests to improve to .500 on the season for the first time since April 23. The visiting Nationals aim to move to the positive side of that ledger on Friday, when they open a three-game interleague series against the reeling Detroit Tigers.
Matt Adams launched a three-run homer for the second time in as many days while Victor Robles, Juan Soto and Kurt Suzuki also went deep as Washington completed a series sweep of Miami with Thursday's 8-5 win. Trea Turner recorded a double, a single and two stolen bases to improve to 11-for-30 with eight runs scored during his seven-game hitting streak. While the Nationals are ascending, the Tigers have suffered seven straight losses overall and seven in a row at home with a 3-1 setback against Texas on Thursday. "I've said it over and over again. I don't have any answers for it, other than they're up there trying to get hits," Detroit manager Ron Gardenhire told reporters.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MASN (Washington), FS Detroit
PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Anibal Sanchez (3-6, 4.02 ERA) vs. Tigers LH Daniel Norris (2-6, 4.69)
Sanchez will get his first look at the Tigers since posting a 46-39 record and 4.43 ERA with the club from 2012-17. The 35-year-old Venezuelan is no stranger to some members of Detroit's lineup, with Gordon Beckham enjoying success against him in a small sample size (3-for-9). Sanchez owns a 3-0 record over his last five outings as he walked away with a no-decision against Atlanta on Saturday after allowing four runs and six hits in six innings.
Norris fell to 0-5 with a 5.48 ERA in his last eight starts after getting pierced for six runs and eight hits over a season-high seven innings in Sunday's 8-3 setback at Cleveland. The 26-year-old, who is winless since May 12, had reason for optimism after striking out a season-best eight batters in that contest. Brian Dozier is 3-for-11 with a homer versus Norris, who will be making his first career start against Washington.
WALK-OFFS
1. Suzuki has registered two homers and four RBIs during his five-game hitting streak.
2. Detroit DH Miguel Cabrera, who lifted a sacrifice fly on Thursday, is batting .367 at home as opposed to .213 on the road.
3. Washington RF Adam Eaton notched an RBI on Thursday, marking the first time he drove in a run since June 16.