The Nationals play the second game of a three-game series against the Orioles on Saturday night at Robert F. Kennedy Stadium. Washington left-hander Mike Bacsik will face Baltimore right-hander Jeremy Guthrie.

Bacsik is getting the start because Jason Bergmann was placed on the disabled list on Friday. Bacsik was 1-3 with a 4.00 ERA in nine games (five starts) for Triple-A Columbus. He struck out 28 batters in 36 innings.

Bacsik, who last pitched in the big leagues in 2004, is 5-5 with a 5.88 ERA in 22 career games (15 starts) with the Indians, Mets and Rangers. The Nationals are hoping that Bacsik can go deep in the game in order to save the bullpen. It has already logged over 50 innings in the month of May.

Pitching matchup
WAS: LHP Mike Bacsik (1-1, 4.60 ERA in 2004)
Last season, Bacsik was 11-0 with a 2.79 ERA for Triple-A Tucson.

BAL: RHP Jeremy Guthrie (2-1, 3.34)
Guthrie will face the Nationals for the first time in his career. Baltimore is 2-7 in games involving Guthrie.

Player to watch
Austin Kearns was expected to be one of the top run producers for the Nationals this season, but he's struggling through a 5-for-34 slump.

Tickets
 Buy tickets now to catch the game in person.

hot stove

On the Internet
 MLB.TV
 Gameday Audio
•  Gameday
•  Official game notes

On television
• MASN2/WDCA-20

On radio
• WTWP 1500 AM, 107.7 FM

Up next
• Sunday: Orioles (Erik Bedard, 3-2, 4.67) at Nationals (Micah Bowie, 0-2, 3.71), 1:35 p.m. ET 
• Monday: Nationals (Levale Speigner, 1-0, 4.91) at Reds (TBD), 7:10 p.m. ET 
• Tuesday: Nationals (Matt Chico, 3-4, 5.44) at Reds (TBD), 7:10 p.m. ET