NATS GAME NIGHT, GAME 92: Mets at Nats -- Starting Lineup

The New York Mets limp into Nationals Park with ten players on the D.L. for a three-game series with the hapless Washington Nationals.

The Nats have lost five in a row, ten of their last 12, and 14 of their last 18 games.

Called up to stop the bleeding is J.D. Martin, a 26-year old rookie who has dominated Triple-A hitters this summer, going 8-3 with a 2.66 ERA.

Unfortunately, manager Jim Riggleman will field one of the worst defensive lineups in the history of the Nationals today -- especially in the infield -- so Martin better be next to unhittable to be successful tonight.

NEW YORK METS (43-48, 4th in NL East -- nine games back; one-game losing streak)

Pagan - 8
Castillo - 4
Murphy - 3
Wright - 5
Francoeur - 9
Reed - 7
Cora - 6
Schneider - 2
Hernandez - 1

WASHINGTON NATIONALS (26-65, 5th in NL East -- 26 games back; five-game losing streak)

Morgan - 8
Belliard - 4
Johnson - 3
Dunn - 7
Guzman - 6
Kearns - 9
Harris - 5
Bard - 2
Martin - 1

STARTING PITCHERS

WAS: J.D. Martin (major league debut; 8-3, 2.66 ERA at Triple-A Syracuse)
NYM: Livan Hernandez (100.2 IP, 5-5, 5.10 ERA, 53 K, 38 BB)

WEATHER

Comfortable temps, but humid with a 30% chance of showers. First pitch: 79F. Last out: 74.