Haren at Nationals
Washington, DC – The Washington Nationals may have the worst record in baseball, but they’ve shown over the last week that they are not merely playing out the string.
Following another impressive comeback that extended its season-high winning streak, Washington goes for a seventh straight victory Saturday night as it hosts the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Nationals (38-72) began the win streak by rallying from an early deficit to beat Pittsburgh 5-3 on Sunday before coming back from three runs down in an 8-4 victory over the Pirates the following day.
Washington then opened a three-game series with Florida on Tuesday and overcame a 4-0 deficit to win 6-4. On Thursday, the Nationals trailed 6-0 before pulling out a 12-8 victory to sweep the Marlins.
Oddsmakers from online sportsbook SBG Global have made the Diamondbacks -200 moneyline favorites for Saturday’s game against the Nationals. Current MLB Public Betting Information shows that 74% of more than 188 bets for this game have been placed on the Diamondbacks -200.
In the opener of this three-game set Friday night, Arizona (50-60) raced out to a 5-0 lead in the second inning, but Washington again came back and won 7-6.
Ryan Zimmerman evened the game in the fifth with his career high-tying 24th homer and Josh Willingham hit a two-run single in the seventh.
"Early in the year, we probably don’t come back to win those games," Willingham said.
Zimmerman is batting .442 with nine home runs, 19 RBIs and 21 runs in his last 14 games. He is 7 for 17 with two homers against the Diamondbacks this season.
"When you win a few in a row, you get some confidence," Zimmerman said. "It feels like you can come to the park and win every single day."
The Nationals, who last won seven straight from Aug. 26-Sept. 1, are 12-11 since manager Jim Riggleman replaced the fired Manny Acta during the All-Star break.
"We’re the same team – the same guys," Zimmerman said.
Arizona’s Mark Reynolds continued his amazing power surge Friday with his ninth home run in 11 games, giving him 34 on the season and 13 since July 1 – most in the majors.
The Diamondbacks, who had their season high-tying five-game win streak snapped, will now turn to ace Dan Haren (11-6, 2.38 ERA).
The right-hander, though, has struggled in his last three starts, going 1-1 with a 5.82 ERA and allowing three home runs over 17 innings. He was 7-1 with a 1.44 ERA in his previous 10 outings, giving up four homers in 75 innings.
Haren beat the New York Mets 6-5 on the road Monday despite allowing a season high-tying five runs over seven innings. He’s 6-1 with a 2.61 ERA in 11 starts away from home.
This will be Haren’s second career start at Washington. He allowed three hits and an earned run while striking out nine over eight innings of a 7-5, 12-inning win July 10, 2008.
Washington’s Garrett Mock (0-4, 6.75) will be looking for his second major league win in his 44th game and eighth career start. Mock went 1-3 with a 4.17 ERA in 26 appearances in his 2008 rookie year.
The right-hander made 13 relief appearances this season before being sent down May 20. He was recalled July 15 and is 0-2 with a 6.62 ERA in four starts. The Nationals won for the first time over those four outings Monday despite Mock allowing 12 baserunners through four-plus innings.
Posted: 8/8/09 6:00AM ET
