Surging Nationals hope to feast on lowly Athletics

The sequence between the Oakland Athletics and Washington Nationals is shaping up to be a lot concerning the future for each franchises

The groups, which meet within the second sport of the three-game sequence Saturday night time in Washington, maintain two of the worst information within the main leagues

That’s not stopping some emotional and rewarding occasions for gamers in each clubhouses

Washington’s Jake Alu smacked his first big-league house run in Friday night time’s 8-2 victory

“I was able to barrel it up and finally get one out of there,” Alu stated. “I’ve been struggling a bit as of late, so maybe that will get me going.

The Nationals have won six of their last nine games

“Now we have got somewhat little bit of a homestand right here, can lastly settle in and hopefully get some wins,” Alu said

For Athletics outfielder Lawrence Butler, there could be more productive days ahead. He made his major-league debut Friday night, going 0-for-4 and playing right field

“I’ll really feel means higher (Saturday),” the 23-year-old Butler said. “Hopefully, we are able to get a win, too.

Butler, a local of Atlanta, Ga., stated it was particular having his household within the crowd to witness the sport

“It was very emotional,” he stated. “My mom was so proud. That’s all I could ever ask for is to make her proud, so that was cool.

Butler won’t be the only relative newcomer in the lineup Saturday night. It will be a matchup of rookie pitchers

The A’s will start right-hander Luis Medina (3-8, 5.47 ERA) as he goes for his first victory since July 18. He’s coming off his second-shortest appearance of the season after he was pulled following 3 1/3 innings while allowing four runs, three earned, on Sunday against San Francisco. It was the third time this season he’s issued five or more walks

It also marked the first time this season that the Athletics won a game when he pitched and wasn’t the winning pitcher. They’re 4-12 overall when he pitches

Right-hander Jake Irvin (3-5, 4.93) is scheduled to start and has gone three straight outings without a decision. The difference from Medina, though, is that Washington has won in each of Irvin’s last four appearances

He also had a short outing Sunday at Cincinnati, lasting 4 1/3 innings for his second-shortest stint in two months

The Nationals will be monitoring the usage of their bullpen. They used four relievers in the series opener after starter Joan Adon left after three innings because of leg cramping

“We tried to plan it so the subsequent couple of days these guys can be obtainable in case one thing does occur,” Nationals manager Davey Martinez. “I’ll have to take a look at how that is going to map out.

He stated it is attainable a few of the relievers might be obtainable for responsibility on back-to-back days

The Athletics have misplaced three of their final 4 video games. Saturday’s sport marks the second sport of a six-game highway journey

–Field Level Medi