The Los Angeles Dodgers spoiled Washington Nationals starter Reynaldo Lopez’s Major League debut Tuesday in the series opener by coming away with an 8-4 victory. Los Angeles was without All-Star shortstop Corey Seager, who again is out of the lineup because of a stomach virus.
With Hyun-Jin Ryu landing on the disabled list due to elbow tendinitis, Bud Norris had his start moved up one day as he goes on regular rest as opposed to five days’ worth. He’s 2-0 with a 3.95 ERA, three walks and 18 strikeouts since being traded to the Dodgers.
Overall this season, the right-hander is 5-7 with a 4.17 ERA, 3.83 FIP and 1.37 WHIP. Norris twice faced the Nationals while he was still a member of the Atlanta Braves, and suffered a loss in each game.
He gave up five runs on nine hits in five innings of work on April 11 at Nationals Park. Norris yields a 5.54 ERA in nine career games (six starts) against Washington. Nationals All-Star catcher Wilson Ramos has enjoyed success off Norris, going 9-for-19 with a home run in his career.
Ramos bats fifth, protecting the reigning National League MVP Bryce Harper in the Nationals’ lineup Wednesday. Norris is opposed by Gio Gonzalez, who is an underwhelming 5-8 to go along with a 4.70 ERA, 4.11 FIP and 1.40 WHIP this season.
His last start came on July 10, as he gave up two earned runs in 5.2 innings and earned the win against the division rival New York Mets. The Dodgers have struggled against Gonzalez in the past, as he is 2-1 with a 1.73 ERA in four career starts.
With reliever Chris Hatcher placed to the disabled list with an oblique injury, the Dodgers recalled Charlie Culberson from Triple-A Oklahoma City.
He starts at shortstop and bats eighth in Seager’s place. Culberson hit .289/.333/.406 with two home runs and 19 RBIs at Oklahoma City after being sent down in the middle of May.
Dodgers lineup:
LF: Howie Kendrick
2B: Chris Taylor
3B: Justin Turner
1B: Adrian Gonzalez
RF: Scott Van Slyke
CF: Yasiel Puig
C: Yasmani Grandal
SS: Charlie Culberson
P: Scott Kazmir
Nationals lineup:
CF: Ben Revere
LF: Jayson Werth
1B: Daniel Murphy
RF: Bryce Harper
C: Wilson Ramos
3B: Anthony Rendon
2B: Trea Turner
SS: Danny Espinosa
P: Gio Gonzalez
