Tigers 5 - 4 Nationals
Final
  for this game

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May 10, 2016 - 4:04 AM Dusty Baker decided not to make a lineup switch that may or may not have provided more protection for Bryce Harper.

Daniel Murphy proved his manager correct for now.

His big night helped the Washington Nationals end their skid heading into Tuesday night's matchup against the visiting Detroit Tigers that features a showdown of promising young right-handers.

Harper walked 13 times and was hit by a pitch as the Nationals (20-12) dropped all four to the Chicago Cubs over the weekend. A major league record-tying six of those - three intentional - came in Sunday's extra-inning loss as Ryan Zimmerman, who hits fourth behind Harper, went 1 for 7 and left 14 on base.

"I think people are panicking a little early here. I'm sure it's been the subject of discussion,'' Baker said prior to Monday's series opener. ''I've been at this a long time. Everybody's got an opinion on what my lineup ... should be. In the meantime, I'll make out the lineup.''

Baker also mentioned that moving Murphy up to Zimmerman's spot would present a problem because he and Harper both hit left-handed. Murphy remained in the fifth spot Monday as Harper went 0 for 2 with two walks and Zimmerman went hitless in four at-bats, leaving him at 2 for 23 over his last five.

But Murphy, who raised his average to .398, had an RBI single in the fourth and a two-run homer in the sixth as Washington rallied for a 5-4 win on Clint Robinson's pinch-hit home run in the ninth.

Harper was ejected from the dugout after Danny Espinosa was called out on strikes in the previous at-bat.

''I think everybody was up on the steps and preaching about what they thought was going on,'' Harper said. ''And (umpire Brian Knight) picked me and said, `See you later.'''

The Tigers (14-17) have been outscored 48-20 while losing seven in a row. They led 4-1 heading into the sixth.

''Everything's not going our way,'' outfielder J.D. Martinez said. ''It'll change.''

Detroit might not fare any better against Joe Ross, who continues to impress. Ross (3-1, 1.23 ERA) doubled his runs allowed total Thursday against the Cubs but still posted a solid outing, giving up two and striking out nine in 6 2/3 innings of a 5-2 defeat.

The 22-year-old has gone 5-0 with a 1.97 ERA in eight starts and five relief efforts since last losing Aug. 16 to San Francisco.

"He works the strike zone," Baker said. "Good sinker, good slider, this guy's going to be good for a long time."

He gets his first look at the Tigers, who send Michael Fulmer (1-1, 6.30) to the mound. Detroit's top pitching prospect will be making his third career start as he tries to lower his .455 batting average against on balls in play.

Fulmer, who took Shane Greene's spot in the rotation when Greene went on the disabled list, allowed four runs in the first inning Thursday before settling down and giving up one over his final four in a 9-4 loss to Cleveland.

''I know I can be better, obviously, and I have the confidence to do it,'' Fulmer said. ''I didn't come out prepared enough, and it all went downhill from there. It was just a tough one to take.''






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