Danny Salazar (11-3, 2.75 ERA) starts for the Cleveland Indians (56-41) as they square off against Gio Gonzalez (6-8, 4.53 ERA) and the Washington Nationals (58-41) in the first of a two-game series at Progressive Field. Action begins at 7:10 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Jul. 26 and can be seen on STOh and MASN.
Salazar pitched 6.2 innings in his last outing, surrendering three runs (one unearned), striking out seven and walking one in a 7-3 win over the Royals. Mike Napoli (.244, 61 Rs, 22 HRs, 68 RBIs, 3 SBs) went 1 for 4 Sunday with one RBI. Gonzalez went 6.0 innings, surrendering one run, striking out six and walking two in an 8-1 win over the Dodgers in his most recent start. Daniel Murphy (.355, 58 Rs, 19 HRs, 73 RBIs, 3 SBs) has been successful at the plate for the Nationals, going 3 for 3 Sunday with two runs and two RBIs.
Notes
The Indians are coming off of a hot pitching game where they recorded 11 strikeouts. The Nationals have a record of 7-8 when they are struck out that many times or more.
When they are outhit, the Indians are 7-29. The Nationals have a 10-25 record when opponents outhit them.
Cleveland ranks in the top 10 of the league when it comes to home runs, hitting 125 this season. Washington ranks in the top five with 135.
Ranking 12th, Cleveland is in the top half of the league in walks, notching 309 this season. Washington ranks in the top five with 349.
The Indians are 41-25 when they hit at least one home run. The Nationals perform similarly when they hit one or more homers with a 47-22 record.
