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Nationals seek sweep of Orioles

Jun 14, 2007 - 1:54 PM Washington (28-37) at Baltimore (29-36) 7:05 pm EDT

BALTIMORE (Ticker) -- After missing out on one against the Minnesota Twins, the Washington Nationals go for a three-game sweep of the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday.

Struggling early, the Nationals have come alive recently, posting five wins in their last seven games following a 9-6 victory in 11 innings on Wednesday. Although closer Chad Cordero blew a one-run lead in the ninth, Felipe Lopez delivered a game-winning two-run triple in extra innings.

Jason Simontacchi (3-4, 5.44 ERA) starts for Washington, which has only one sweep this season - May 11-13 against the Florida Marlins.

Simontacchi, who missed the early part of the season with a groin injury, is looking to win back-to-back starts for the first time this season. In an 8-5 win over Minnesota on Friday, the righthander allowed four runs and six hits in 7 2/3 innings - his longest outing in seven starts this season.

Baltimore counters with Jeremy Guthrie (3-1, 2.70), who has been a pleasant surprise for the Orioles. The righthander lost his first start of the season on April 24 before heading to the bullpen for two weeks.

Since returning to the rotation to fill the spot of the injured Jaret Wright, Guthrie has gone 2-0 with a 1.75 ERA in seven starts. He has pitched seven or more innings in his last six starts.

Melvin Mora homered for the second time in as many games on Wednesday for the Orioles, who have lost four straight and nine of 11.

Washington's Dmitri Young is batting .483 (42-for-87) with three homers and 19 RBI in his last 23 games.