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Apr 17, 2010 - 4:08 AM By JEFF MEZYDLO STATS Senior Writer

Milwaukee (4-5) at Washington (4-5), 1:05 p.m. EDT

Livan Hernandez was considered a long shot to make the Washington Nationals' roster out of spring training. After a solid season debut, he could become a mainstay of the rotation.

The 35-year-old right-hander looks for another strong outing while trying to help the Nationals to their third straight victory Saturday against the Milwaukee Brewers.

After he was released by the New York Mets in August, Hernandez (1-0, 0.00 ERA) went 2-4 with a 5.36 ERA in eight starts for Washington. He signed a minor-league contract with the Nationals (5-5) over the winter, and earned a spot in the rotation despite appearing in only two spring training games.

In his season debut, the 1997 World Series MVP gave up five hits over seven scoreless innings in a 5-2 win over the Mets on Sunday.

"It was my first game. I just tried to get people out and keep them off-balance," said Hernandez, who threw 88 pitches.

He could face a stiffer challenge against a more talented Milwaukee lineup. Hernandez is 7-6 with a 3.89 ERA in 20 starts versus the Brewers, but 0-3 with a 6.94 ERA in his last four.

Four Washington pitchers held the Brewers in check for the most part during a 5-3 comeback victory in Friday's opener. Adam Kennedy's two-run single keyed a three-run eighth inning rally for Washington, which is off to a much better start compared to last year when it opened 0-7.

"When you win games and you haven't played well, that's a really good sign," Kennedy said.

The Nationals have played well despite All-Star Ryan Zimmerman being limited to two pinch-hit appearances over the past five games because of a strained hamstring. Zimmerman could be back in the lineup Saturday.

"I don't think we've hit our stride yet," said Friday's starter, John Lannan. "We're just building off each game, and once we get Zim back, we'll play better ball."

Josh Willingham hit his third home run, and is batting .375. Eight of his 10 RBIs have come over the last five contests.

Willingham is a lifetime .303 hitter versus Milwaukee (4-6), and 4 for 8 with two home runs against Brewers scheduled starter Randy Wolf (1-0, 4.05).

The left-hander has fared well against the Nationals franchise, going 9-4 with a 4.43 ERA in 20 starts.

Wolf has allowed four runs in 6 2/3 innings in each of his two starts this season. The latter came Sunday against St. Louis, when he didn't factor in the decision of an 8-7 victory after closer Trevor Hoffman blew a three-run lead in the ninth inning.

Casey McGehee had three hits, including his fourth home run, and Ryan Braun added two hits Friday for the Brewers, who've lost three of four.

Braun is 16 for 40 this season, but 3 for 13 with a homer against Hernandez.

While Milwaukee has scored 50 runs in 10 games, they've given up 60, including 41 in the last six. The Brewers bullpen has a 9.00 ERA over the last four games with LaTroy Hawkins having blown a lead and taken the loss in each of his last two appearances.