Nats face Bernadina in opener of three-game set with Phillies

PHILADELPHIA - The Nationals will cross paths with Roger Bernadina tonight for the first time since Bernadina was released Aug. 19 by the only major league organization he'd ever known. After his release, Bernadina pulled a John Lannan and signed with the Phillies, choosing to stay in the National League East and play in a park with which he has a good bit of familiarity. Bernadina will hit eighth and play right field for the Phillies tonight, and he'll dig in against Nats righty Stephen Strasburg, who comes into tonight's game with a 6-9 record and 2.96 ERA. Strasburg has had a roller coaster of a last few weeks. He threw a complete-game shutout against the Phillies on Aug. 11, went just one-plus innings before being ejected Aug. 17 against the Braves, went 8 2/3 innings in a no-decision against the Cubs and then worked just two innings his last time out before a rain delay cut his outing short. The Phillies, meanwhile, will counter with lefty Cole Hamels (6-13, 3.58 ERA). Scott Hairston will start in left field tonight and hit second against the southpaw. Adam LaRoche will play first instead of Tyler Moore, who got the start at first yesterday. For the Nats CF Bryce Harper LF Scott Hairston 3B Ryan Zimmerman RF Jayson Werth SS Ian Desmond 1B Adam LaRoche C Wilson Ramos 2B Anthony Rendon RHP Stephen Strasburg For the Phillies CF Cesar Hernandez SS Jimmy Rollins 2B Chase Utley C Carlos Ruiz 1B Kevin Frandsen 3B Pete Orr LF John Mayberry RF Roger Bernadina LHP Cole Hamels