Nationalsclub.com | Washington Nationals News, nationals Scores, Game Recaps & Commentary - <div> --RHP Kip Wells notched the first save of his 11-year career Friday night, pitching a 1-2-3 ninth inning to preserve the Nationals' 5-4 win over the Diamondbacks. Wells, a starter most of his life, has reinvented himself as a late-inning reliever in Washington and has seized the opportunity afforded to him by a Washington club desperate for a stable bullpen. "I try not to over-prepare for it or heighten it any more," Wells said. "Obviously, as an individual, you know you don't have a save in your career. ...But I got into a rhythm and started locating the ball pretty well and got three outs."</div>--RHP Shairon Martis may be the majors' unlikeliest 4-0 pitcher. The rookie right-hander entered the season with little fanfare but has pitched well enough to lead the Nationals in victories and rank among the NL's leaders in wins. "That's what I've been working for," the 22-year-old said after beating Arizona Friday night with three runs allowed over 5 1/3 innings. "It's not a big surprise for me." --2B Anderson Hernandez has quietly strung together a hot streak at the plate since returning from a hamstring injury. Over his last 10 games, Hernandez is batting .432 (16-for-37) with five doubles, six RBI and eight walks. It's helped that the young second baseman has played without much pressure on him, batting out of the 8-hole on a nightly basis. --OF Elijah Dukes took over in center field when OF Lastings Milledge was optioned to Class AAA Syracuse one week into the season. Dukes, though, hasn't been much better in center field than Milledge was. He's taken bad routes to balls and on Thursday night watched as a routine flyball fell between him and RF Adam Dunn. The Nationals don't see Dukes as a true center fielder and would prefer he play one of the corner positions eventually. But with no other viable options right now, the club is forced to play him out of position. MEDICAL WATCH: 1B Dmitri Young (strained back and hip) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 1. He was expected to begin a 20-day rehab stint with Class AAA Syracuse in early May. RHP Terrell Young (inflamed right shoulder) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27. He started a throwing program at extended spring training in early April. OF Roger Bernadina (broken right ankle) went on the 15-day disabled list April 19, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on April 29. He had surgery April 18, and he will miss a minimum of two months before beginning a rehab assignment. LHP Matt Chico (Tommy John elbow surgery in July 2008) went on the 60-day disabled list March 28. He will miss at least the first half of the season. ROTATION: LHP John Lannan LHP Scott Olsen RHP Daniel Cabrera RHP Shairon Martis RHP Jordan Zimmermann BULLPEN: LHP Joe Beimel RHP Julian Tavarez RHP Kip Wells RHP Joel Hanrahan RHP Garrett Mock RHP Logan Kensing LHP Ron Villone CATCHERS: Jesus Flores Wil Nieves INFIELDERS: 1B Nick Johnson 2B Anderson Hernandez SS Cristian Guzman 3B Ryan Zimmerman INF Ronnie Belliard INF Alex Cintron OUTFIELDERS: LF Adam Dunn CF Elijah Dukes RF Austin Kearns OF Josh Willingham OF/2B Willie Harris

--RHP Kip Wells notched the first save of his 11-year career Friday night, pitching a 1-2-3 ninth inning to preserve the Nationals' 5-4 win over the Diamondbacks. Wells, a starter most of his life, has reinvented himself as a late-inning reliever in Washington and has seized the opportunity afforded to him by a Washington club desperate for a stable bullpen. "I try not to over-prepare for it or heighten it any more," Wells said. "Obviously, as an individual, you know you don't have a save in your career. ...But I got into a rhythm and started locating the ball pretty well and got three outs."

--RHP Shairon Martis may be the majors' unlikeliest 4-0 pitcher. The rookie right-hander entered the season with little fanfare but has pitched well enough to lead the Nationals in victories and rank among the NL's leaders in wins. "That's what I've been working for," the 22-year-old said after beating Arizona Friday night with three runs allowed over 5 1/3 innings. "It's not a big surprise for me."

--2B Anderson Hernandez has quietly strung together a hot streak at the plate since returning from a hamstring injury. Over his last 10 games, Hernandez is batting .432 (16-for-37) with five doubles, six RBI and eight walks. It's helped that the young second baseman has played without much pressure on him, batting out of the 8-hole on a nightly basis.

--OF Elijah Dukes took over in center field when OF Lastings Milledge was optioned to Class AAA Syracuse one week into the season. Dukes, though, hasn't been much better in center field than Milledge was. He's taken bad routes to balls and on Thursday night watched as a routine flyball fell between him and RF Adam Dunn. The Nationals don't see Dukes as a true center fielder and would prefer he play one of the corner positions eventually. But with no other viable options right now, the club is forced to play him out of position.

MEDICAL WATCH:

1B Dmitri Young (strained back and hip) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 1. He was expected to begin a 20-day rehab stint with Class AAA Syracuse in early May.

RHP Terrell Young (inflamed right shoulder) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27. He started a throwing program at extended spring training in early April.

OF Roger Bernadina (broken right ankle) went on the 15-day disabled list April 19, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on April 29. He had surgery April 18, and he will miss a minimum of two months before beginning a rehab assignment.

LHP Matt Chico (Tommy John elbow surgery in July 2008) went on the 60-day disabled list March 28. He will miss at least the first half of the season.

ROTATION:

LHP John Lannan

LHP Scott Olsen

RHP Daniel Cabrera

RHP Shairon Martis

RHP Jordan Zimmermann

BULLPEN:

LHP Joe Beimel

RHP Julian Tavarez

RHP Kip Wells

RHP Joel Hanrahan

RHP Garrett Mock

RHP Logan Kensing

LHP Ron Villone

CATCHERS:

Jesus Flores

Wil Nieves

INFIELDERS:

1B Nick Johnson

2B Anderson Hernandez

SS Cristian Guzman

3B Ryan Zimmerman

INF Ronnie Belliard

INF Alex Cintron

OUTFIELDERS:

LF Adam Dunn

CF Elijah Dukes

RF Austin Kearns

OF Josh Willingham

OF/2B Willie Harris