NewsPair named to start suspended game
Acta tabs Morgan, Bard as replacements for NationalsBy Cheng Sio / MLB.com
07/06/09 10:00 PM ET
DENVER -- Nationals manager Manny Acta named two of the three replacements for the continuation of a suspended game against the Astros at Minute Maid Park on Thursday.The game originally was played on May 5 at Nationals Park. It was suspended because of rain with one out in the bottom of the 11th inning.
Three players who were in the game are no longer with the club. Catcher Jesus Flores has been on the disabled list since May 15 with a stress fracture inside his right shoulder; right-handed reliever Joel Hanrahan was traded on Tuesday as part of a four-player deal that brought back outfielder Nyjer Morgan and left-hander Sean Burnett; and after the trade, center fielder Elijah Dukes was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday.
On Monday, Acta announced that Morgan will replace Dukes and catcher Josh Bard will replace Flores, but there has been no word on who will replace Hanrahan, if needed.
"I think we need to go through Colorado first," Acta said. "We don't know who's going to be available."
The Nationals might not need to replace Hanrahan if they can win the game in the bottom of the 11th. When the game was suspended, Dukes had just drawn a one-out walk. The hitters coming up would be Josh Willingham, a pinch-hitter for Hanrahan and Ronnie Belliard.
Cheng Sio is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
