Nationals at Padres
Washington’s last four starters have combined to throw 22 scoreless innings, and Jordan Zimmermann looks to extend the streak when the Nationals continue their three-game series against the Padres. Washington won the series opener 3-1 behind Gio Gonzalez’s six strong innings and Chad Tracy’s pinch-hit, two-run single in the seventh inning.
The Padres have said they're considering moving in the fences at Petco Park before next season, and the team could use the help. San Diego is already eight games back in the National League West with a 5-13 record, and the team is batting .214 with 10 home runs. Washington has won all five series this season, but there’s some concern about third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, who had an MRI exam on his right shoulder on Tuesday and could be headed to the disabled list.
TV: 6:35 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Washington), FSSD (San Diego)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Jordan Zimmermann (0-1, 1.29 ERA) vs. Padres RH Joe Wieland (0-2, 5.73 ERA)
Zimmermann is seeking his first win despite allowing just three earned runs over his first 21 innings. He’s received the third-lowest run support (0.86 per nine innings) in the majors among pitchers with a minimum of three starts. Zimmermann, who is 0-1 with a 1.38 ERA in two career starts against the Padres, shut out San Diego last summer on four hits over seven innings with 10 strikeouts.
Set to make his third major league start, Wieland held the Phillies to one run on five hits over six innings last Thursday. He retired 17 of his final 19 batters, including eight straight at one point. Acquired from Texas last July as part of the Mike Adams deal, Wieland has walked just three in his first 11 innings.
WALK-OFFS:
1. Dating back to the 2010 season, 12 of 14 games between the Nationals and Padres have been decided by two runs or less.
2. The Padres lead the majors with 21 errors, and they’ve committed an error in 12 of their first 18 games.
3. San Diego has lost four straight to the Nationals at Petco Park, after winning 18 of the first 22 games.