Nationals at Padres
The streaking Washington Nationals look to win for the 10th time in 11 games when they conclude their three-game series against the host San Diego Padres on Wednesday. The Nationals have won the first two games of the set by a total of seven runs after posting a 4-0 triumph on Tuesday.
Washington is thriving despite the fact star right fielder Bryce Harper is hitless in eight at-bats in the series and 0-for-16 over his last four contests. Matt Adams continued his stunning month of May (seven homers, 14 RBIs) by delivering a run-scoring double in Tuesday's win. The Padres have been shut out in two of their last five games - the first being a combined no-hitter by the Los Angeles Dodgers - and five times overall. Eric Hosmer is hitless in eight at-bats in the series and just 2-for-17 over his last five contests, with the hits being home runs..
TV: 9:10 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Washington), FS San Diego
PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals LH Gio Gonzalez (4-2, 2.33 ERA) vs. Padres LH Joey Lucchesi (3-2, 3.13)
Gonzalez has won back-to-back starts and three of his last four. The 32-year-old has allowed fewer than two runs in four of his turns and has served up just one homer in 38 2/3 innings. Gonzalez is 3-2 with a 3.50 ERA in six career starts against the Padres and has allowed two homers to Freddy Galvis (11-for-42), who was with Philadelphia at the time.
Lucchesi lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers in his last outing as he gave up three runs and five hits over five innings. The 24-year-old rookie has lost two of his last three starts, serving up four home runs during the stretch. Lucchesi has issued nine free passes over 15 2/3 frames during the three-outing span after walking just four in 21 2/3 innings over his first four turns.
WALK-OFFS
1. Nationals 2B Howie Kendrick is 4-for-9 with two runs scored in the series.
2. San Diego 3B Christian Villanueva was hitless in four at-bats on Tuesday and is 0-for-21 over his last six contests.
3. Washington 1B Ryan Zimmerman (left side) went 2-for-4 on Tuesday after missing the previous three games.