DENVER -- The Nationals have won six of their past seven games and the offense is the reason for the recent success. But they still need help in their starting lineup.

In fact, before Thursday's doubleheader against the Rockies, manager Manny Acta said that the team needs a middle-of-the-order bat, a slugger who could put fear into a pitcher. Right now, Washington has no one, except Ryan Zimmerman, who could do that on a nightly basis.

Before the Trade Deadline, there was talk of acquiring difference-makers such as Rockies outfielder Matt Holliday or Reds first baseman/outfielder Adam Dunn. The Nationals have hit only 82 homers this year. Zimmerman has eight home runs and none since being activated from the disabled list on July 22.

"Obviously, we need some more power," Acta said. "We need probably a big power threat in the middle of our lineup, preferably from the left side, because we have a few right-handed hitters."

Pitching matchup
WSH: RHP Collin Balester (2-3, 4.55 ERA)
Balester lasted 5 1/3 innings in his last outing, another impressive start for the young right-hander. He throw 101 pitches, 63 for strikes, and fanned five batters. He allowed just one run -- on a solo homer in the sixth.

MIL: LHP CC Sabathia (11-8, 3.28 ERA)
Sabathia limited the Braves to six hits and fell two outs shy of recording his fourth complete-game victory in his past five starts. He allowed two runs in 8 1/3 innings Saturday, improving to 5-0 with a 1.88 ERA in six starts for the Brewers. He threw 109 pitches, the fifth consecutive start with at least 106 pitches thrown. Sabathia has never faced the Nationals, but pitched against the Expos on June 21, 2002, when he allowed three runs on four hits in 7 1/3 innings in a loss.

Tidbits
Tim Redding leads the Nationals in innings pitched with 135 2/3 frames. ... Willie Harris leads Washington with 31 walks. ... In the first game of Thursday's doubleheader, the Nationals hit for the cycle in the fifth inning. Ronnie Belliard singled, Willie Harris doubled, Emilio Bonifacio tripled and Lastings Milledge homered.

Tickets
 Buy tickets now to catch the game in person.

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

On television
• MASN, my20

On radio
• WWWT 1500, SBN 1390 (Español)

Up next
• Saturday: Nationals (Tim Redding, 8-6, 4.44) at Brewers (Ben Sheets, 10-5, 3.14), 7:05 p.m. ET
• Sunday: Nationals (John Lannan, 6-11, 3.55) at Brewers (Manny Parra, 9-5, 4.18), 2:05 p.m. ET
• Monday: Nationals (Garrett Mock, 0-2, 5.27) at Brewers (Dave Bush, 6-9, 4.50), 2:05 p.m. ET