After giving up a run on four hits in four innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers last time out on the mound, Paolo Espino was left with a 4.58 ERA, a 5.61 FIP, eight walks, 28 Ks, and a .282/.320/.528 line against in 35 1⁄3 innings of work since he moved from Washington’s relief corps bullpen to the Nationals’ starting rotation back in mid-June.
In his start on the road in Chavez Ravine, manager Davey Martinez went to the bullpen in the fifth, explaining afterwards he liked the matchups, with Andres Machado against the middle of the Dodgers’ lineup.