Phillies-Nationals rained out, will play doubleheader Sunday

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Why the Phillies and Nationals even tried to play Saturday afternoon's game is anyone's guess. The forecast called for heavy rain and the chances it would avoid South Philly were slim. 

The game began without issue, but the heavens opened in the top of the second and the rain delay ensued after just nine outs were recorded.

Following a rain delay of one hour and 27 minutes, the game was called.

Saturday's contest will be made up as part of a true, single-admission doubleheader Sunday at Citizens Bank Park. It begins at 1:05 p.m.

It was a shame they couldn't get the game in, because the Nationals were missing seven of their top eight position players. Bryce Harper, Wilson Ramos, Denard Span and Yunel Escobar were out of the lineup, and Ryan Zimmerman, Jayson Werth and Anthony Rendon are on the disabled list. The only Nationals starter who was in Saturday's lineup against Phillies left-hander Adam Morgan was shortstop Ian Desmond.

The starters for Game 1 tomorrow are Kevin Correia (0-1, 4.30) and Stephen Strasburg (4-5, 5.90). It will be Correia's fourth start as a Phillie. For the Nats, it's Strasburg's second start back from the DL.

The Phils rocked Strasburg the last time they saw him, May 23 in D.C. Aside from Morgan's win over the Cardinals last Sunday, that was the only game in the Phillies' last 34 that saw their starting pitcher earn a victory.

Severino Gonzalez will be recalled from Triple A to start the second game. Gonzalez is 2-2 with an 8.69 ERA and .398 opponents' batting average in five starts with the Phillies this season. The Nationals had not yet announced their second starter.

The Phillies will not need to use a roster move to add Gonzalez. Since 2012, teams have been permitted by MLB for reasons such as this to add a 26th man to the roster for doubleheaders.

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