The Nats will try to turn things around at home in the rubber game against the Tigers

THE Washington Nationals win only their second home series of the season when the Detroit Tigers in the rubber match of the three-game series on Sunday

Washington’s only series win They are national It was Park when it took three of four games against the Chicago Cubs from May 1-4

At 9-15, Washington has the worst home record in the National League.

THE They are nationalwho ended a four-game losing streak with a 5-2 victory on Saturday after dropping the series opener 8-6 on Friday, will turn to the ace of Sunday’s series finale.

Right-hander Josiah Gray (3-5, 2.73 ERA) held the Miami Marlins to two runs (one earned) on seven hits, five strikeouts and three walks in a 5-4 loss last Tuesday.

Gray has walked twice or less in seven of his last eight starts.

After giving up three homers in his first start of the season on April 1, he has given up two in his last eight starts.

“She throws the ball very well, (and) has an incredible game plan and routine.” They are national manager Dave Martinez said of Gray, who will make his first career appearance against Tigers. “He just wants to fight. He wants to get deep into the games

“I think he’s learned to control his heart rate in these high-leverage situations and get through it.”

On Saturday the They are national He trailed 2-1 before taking the lead for good in the fifth on Lane Thomas’ two-out, two-run single to left. THE They are national He extended his lead to 4-2 in the sixth with a run-scoring single by Keibert Ruiz. Jeimer Candelario, who hit a solo home run in the fourth, doubled the lead in the eighth with a double to score Thomas, who hit a leadoff double.

“These guys are good hitters, professional hitters, too,” said Detroit starter Alex Faedo, who allowed three runs on five hits Saturday and no walks in five innings. “They took advantage of some mistakes and hit some decent pitches. Hats off to them.”

Candelario is hitting .522 (12-23) with four doubles, one triple, two homers, five RBIs and five runs in his last six games.

“The biggest thing is that he goes out of his mind to try to hit every batter,” Martinez said of Candelario. “Just stay on the ball. He’s got enough power that when he hits the ball and gets it in the air, he’s going to hit home runs. . . . That’s him.”

Thomas, who went 3-4 with two RBIs on Saturday, has reached base in 17 straight games and is hitting .348 during that span.

THE Tigers opposite left-hander Joey Wentz (1-3, 6.38), who allowed three runs on six hits with three strikeouts and a walk in just 2 2/3 innings in a 5-3 win over the Seattle Mariners last Sunday.

“I didn’t contribute to the win,” said Wentz, who is playing in his first career game against the team They are national Sunday. “But regardless, great job from the guys.

— Field Level Media