Game #63 Preview: Nats vs. Yankees
Game 2 of 3: Saturday, June 16, 1:05 EDT, Nationals Park
Last night wasn't a great showing for the Nationals, as Gio didn't pitch all that well but kept us in the game, and ultimately a lack of offense and a very poor showing by Lidge sealed the deal for the Yankees. Today, the Nats send Jordan Zimmermann (3-5, 2.91 ERA) to the mound to face off against Andy Pettitte (3-2, 2.81 ERA).
Jordan has been hit a little harder over his last four outings (.773 OPS Against), mainly from giving up as many HR’s over that stretch (5) as he did in his first eight starts. That being said, he’s put up three quality starts over his last four outings and has yet to go less the 6 IP in any start this season. With all that he’s done to keep the team in any game he starts, he’s been the victim of poor run support, though he doesn’t have it as bad as Edwin Jackson, only compiling a 3-5 record so far this season. The only Yankees Zimmermann has faced previously are those who were not in NY for the last few years (Ibanez, Stewart, Martin), of which Ibanez hits very well against him…not a huge surprise coming from a notorious Nat Killer.
Jordan Zimmermann vs. Current Yankees
| PA | AB | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raul Ibanez | 8 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | .286 | .375 | .714 | 1.089 |
| Russell Martin | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | .000 | .667 | .000 | .667 |
| Chris Stewart | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
| Total | 14 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | .182 | .357 | .455 | .812 |
After coming out of retirement this spring, Pettitte made his debut this season with the Yankees on May 13. After a rocky debut against Seattle, he looks like he hasn’t missed a beat aside from a hiccup at the Angels. His last two outings were particularly good, striking out 18 and only allowing 2 runs between a 7.1 IP win against Tampa Bay and a 6 IP no decision against the Mets. The only Nats position players Pettitte has faced are Nady, LaRoche and Zim, with only Nady hitting him well in 15 PA.
Andy Pettitte vs. Current Nationals
| PA | AB | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xavier Nady | 15 | 13 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | .308 | .400 | .538 | .938 |
| Adam LaRoche | 9 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | .000 | .222 | .000 | .222 |
| Ryan Zimmerman | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | .333 | .400 | .333 | .733 |
| Tom Gorzelanny | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
| Total | 31 | 24 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 6 | .208 | .333 | .333 | .667 |
Lineup Notes: Since we're facing a LHP look for Lombardozzi to ride the bench today, most likely with Nady taking his place in LF.