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Millwood, Rangers return to nation's capitol

Jun 20, 2008 - 1:34 PM Texas (37-37) at Washington (29-45) 7:35 pm. EDT

WASHINGTON (Ticker) -- Kevin Millwood looks to continue his impressive stretch since returning from the disabled list when the Texas Rangers open a three-game interleague series with the Washington Nationals on Friday.

Millwood (5-3, 4.75 ERA), who spent more than three weeks on the DL with a left groin strain, should be looking forward to facing the Nationals. Millwood has dominated the Washington/Montreal franchise to the tune of a 15-5 mark - his most wins against any team - and a 3.60 ERA in 25 career starts.

Millwood is 3-0 with a 4.50 ERA in four starts since returning from the DL on May 30. The righthander leads the Rangers into Washington for the first time since the franchise - then known as the Washington Senators - left for Texas in 1971 after 10 seasons in the nation's capitol.

The modern day Rangers may be missing a key component of their potent lineup for a second straight day. Milton Bradley, who leads the American League with a .330 average, sat out Thursday's 5-4 win over Atlanta due to a strained left quadriceps.

Tim Redding (6-3, 4.10) would not mind if Bradley sits out again, but it is not as if the righthander needs any breaks. The Nationals have won each of his last seven starts, and Redding is 2-0 with a 4.39 ERA during that stretch. Washington managed just six runs while suffering a three-game sweep at the hands of the Minnesota Twins earlier this week.