Washington @ Pittsburgh preview
PNC Park
Last Meeting ( Sep 4, 2010 ) Washington 9, Pittsburgh 2
The Washington Nationals' chances of winning their first road series since May hinge on a pitcher who has won just one game this season. Fortunately, the pitcher they'll be facing has the same amount.
The Nationals look to make it two in a row today when they take on the Pittsburgh Pirates in the rubber game of their three-game series at PNC Park.
Washington halted a three-game losing streak in a big way Saturday as Ivan Rodriguez went 3-for-5 with a home run and four RBIs in a 9-2 triumph. Ian Desmond also collected three hits, giving him eight in 13 at-bats over his last three games, and John Lannan posted his fifth win in six starts by allowing just one run in seven strong innings.
The impressive victory gave the Nationals a chance at their first road series win since taking two of three from the New York Mets at Citi Field from May 10-12. Since that set, Washington has gone 0-15-2 in 17 road series.
Getting the call for the Nationals is Jason Marquis, who is looking for his second victory of the season. The veteran right-hander lost his first seven starts this year before leading Washington to a 9-3 triumph over Florida on Monday, when he gave up three runs and seven hits in 5 2/3 innings.
The 32-year-old Marquis has pitched well of late. In his last three outings, he is 1-2 with a 2.50 ERA.
Marquis will be facing the Pirates for the first time this year. In 25 career games - including four relief appearances - against Pittsburgh, he is 10-6 with a 3.66 ERA. The 10 victories are the most he has recorded vs. any major league team.
On the road this season, Marquis is 1-3 with a 5.68 ERA.
Pirates starter Charlie Morton has fared worse than his counterpart in 2010. He suffered his fifth straight loss last Sunday, when he was pounded for eight runs - seven earned - and nine hits over just 3 1/3 innings of an 8-4 loss at Milwaukee.
It was the first start since May 27 for Morton, who spent time on the disabled list with a shoulder injury as well as with Triple-A Indianapolis. Over his last five major league outings, he has posted a 9.70 ERA.
Morton will be making his second career start against Washington. On Aug. 3, 2009, the 26-year-old yielded four runs and six hits in six innings en route to an 8-4 loss.
In four outings at home this season, Morton has a 1-3 record and 5.68 ERA.
Saturday's loss halted the Pirates' three-game home winning streak. Rookie Neil Walker went 1-for-5 to extend his hitting streak to 11 games and former National Lastings Milledge collected three of Pittsburgh's nine hits.