The Nationals stabilized their season with a fine 11-game homestand. Now, the slow creep back toward .500 continues with a short three-game road trip starting tonight in Houston.
The Nats (14-18), who were 10 games below .500 at one point last month, remain in last place in the National League East despite winning eight of 11 games on the homestand (and nine of their last 12). But no team in the division has played particularly well early this season and Washington is just four games behind first-place Philadelphia (18-14).
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“Things are starting to come together,” said Nats manager Manny Acta. “Guys are feeling more comfortable now and it shows.”
Houston (16-16) has won 10 of 14 and is fifth in runs scored (152) in the National League. But starting pitching has been an issue (4.43 team ERA) for the Astros. The Nats will face three right-handers in the series — Shawn Chacon (0-0, 3.32) tonight, Roy Oswalt (3-3, 5.57) on Wednesday and Brandon Backe (2-3, 4.42) on Thursday.
Shawn Hill (0-0, 3.50 ERA), who threw eight innings of one-run ball last Wednesday against Atlanta, is on the mound for Washington tonight. Odalis Perez (0-3, 3.18) goes Wednesday and Thursday’s starter is left-hander John Lannan (2-3, 3.74).
