After bouncing back from being shut out with a shutout of their own, the Fredericksburg Nationals look to finish strong and win the series on the road with the Down East Wood Ducks. Andry Lara will try to beat Down East for the second time in the series, as he also started Tuesday in a Fredericksburg Nationals win. Fredericksburg finished the first 100 games of the 132-game schedule 57-43 and will try to win its 8th straight series finale today.

RHP Andry Lara (2-6, 5.94 ERA)

Andry Lara, the Nationals’ No. 6 overall prospect in the Washington organization, will look to pitch the FredNats to a series closing win over the Down East Wood Ducks. Lara has been better on the road this year. His ERA is over two runs lower on the road than at home. Lara pitched in the series opener and did very well, pitching six innings of the one-run ball and allowing just three hits against Down East. He struck out five Wood Ducks in the Fredericksburg Nationals win.

AGAINST THE WOOD DUCKS:

Lara’s aforementioned start against Down East in the series opener is the only time he’s faced them in his career.

WELCOME TO THE NATS

James Wood - acquired in the Juan Soto trade from the San Diego Padres - made a big splash in his FredNat debut Friday night. Wood went 4-for-6 with 3 RBIs, including a two-run home run to left center field.

STANDINGS WATCH

Heading into play today, the FredNats are 7.5 games ahead of Carolina and Salem and 8.0 games ahead of Down East in the Carolina League North Divison. Fredericksburg is 24-10 in the 2nd half, the most wins in Minor League Baseball since the second
half began on June 23.

The FredNats have been among the best teams in all Minor League Baseball in closing out games this year. Fredericksburg is 44-2 when up after 7 innings and 43-1 after eight innings, including yesterday’s win over Down East. Fredericksburg is also 11-7 in series finales, including six straight wins in series finales. The Fredericksburg Nationals have not lost on Sunday since early June.

Yesterday's Game

RHP Jackson Rutledge, Bryan Pena, and Cody Greenhill combined for Saturday’s 6th Fredericksburg Nationals shutout of the year at Grainger Stadium. The shutout effort, plus a two-RBI night from Steven Williams, earned the Fredericksburg Nationals a 3-0 win and a 3-2 series edge.

Rutledge used 90 pitches in five innings to limit the Down East offense to just four hits. He struck out six while allowing just one walk. He has now gone 13 innings in his last two starts, striking out 13 and allowing just one run. Williams delivered in the sixth, looping a single to left to score JT Arruda and break a scoreless tie.

Game Detials

• Fredericksburg Nationals (57-43) at Down East Wood Ducks (49-51)
• RHP Andry Lara (2-6, 5.94 ERA) vs. TBA
• Sunday, August 7 | 1:00 p.m. | Grainger Stadium | Game 101 of 132 |
• Broadcast: FredNats Baseball Network/MiLB.tv