Desmond, Werth in Nats lineup at Brewers

MILWAUKEE - After Sunday's game, Nationals manager Matt Williams indicated that he hoped to give shortstop Ian Desmond and right fielder Jayson Werth a day off in the near future, but it won't be today. Both Desmond and Werth are starting tonight as the Nats open a series against the National League-leading Brewers at Miller Park. Williams had noted that Desmond seems worn down. The Nats shortstop is 0-for-7 over the last two games and is batting .176 (6-for-34) with one homer, three RBIs and 18 strikeouts over his last nine games. Werth has also struggled lately, batting .108 (4-for-37) with two RBIs and 14 strikeouts over his last 10 games. Left-hander Gio Gonzalez starts opposite Milwaukee right-hander Matt Garza, looking for better results than his first start back from the disabled list. Gonzalez allowed four runs in five innings on Wednesday in his first start since May 17. Garza, conversely, has pitched to a 2.41 ERA during a streak of five straight quality starts. For the Nationals CF Denard Span 3B Anthony Rendon RF Jayson Werth 1B Adam LaRoche LF Ryan Zimmerman SS Ian Desmond 2B Danny Espinosa C Jose Lobaton LHP Gio Gonzalez For the Brewers 2B Rickie Weeks RF Ryan Bruan C Jonathan Lucroy CF Carlos Gomez 3B Aramis Ramirez LF Khris Davis 1B Mark Reynolds SS Jean Segura RHP Matt Garza