Nationals-Marlins finale rained out

The Washington Nationals got their first series sweep of the season Sunday when rain washed away their finale with the Miami Marlins. Having won the first two games of the series, the Nationals (12-4) wrapped up an 8-2 homestand with their fifth straight series victory.

There was no makeup date announced, but the Marlins return to Nationals Park for weekend series on Aug. 3-5 and Sept. 7-9.

The Nationals now will head out West to San Diego where they’ll keep their pitching on turn and send Gio Gonzalez, Sunday’s projected starter, to the mound on Tuesday evening. He’ll face left-hander Clayton Richard. Jordan Zimmermann will pitch on Wednesday against righty Joe Wieland, and Edwin Jackson will pitch the series finale against Edinson Volquez.

Gonzalez was disappointed he wouldn’t get to make his start against the Marlins, the team he grew up rooting for, but added that “my mind is ready for Tuesday.”

The rainout means all five of the Nationals’ starters will get six days of rest, instead of the usual four, before their next start. It also means that Stephen Strasburg and National League Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw will not face off on Friday night in Los Angeles, which they had been on track for previously. Ross Detwiler will get that start now, with Strasburg starting Saturday in L.A. and Gonzalez pitching the finale at Dodger Stadium.

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