Washington @ Houston preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 7, 2012 ) Washington 3, Houston 2

The Houston Astros may have the worst record in baseball and losses in 32 of their last 36 games, but they haven’t given up. The Astros took the National League-leading Washington Nationals to extra innings in each of the first two contests of a four-game set and are at least keeping up the effort level as they play out the string. The Nationals pulled it out in the last two nights but both times got a shaky performances from closer Tyler Clippard.

Houston is utilizing the whole roster, giving everyone playing time as it evaluates for the future. Players like Brett Wallace, Steve Pearce and Justin Maxwell are playing multiple positions as they try to stick in the majors for good. Wallace made a bid to win the game in the 12th inning on Tuesday, coming up just short on a deep drive to center with a pair of runners on to end the game. That drive was the final out of a challenging save for Clippard, who blew the opportunity to force extra innings on Monday. Drew Storen, who served as Washington’s closer last season, is back from injury and pitching well, leaving Clippard’s role at the back of the bullpen as one of the Nationals’ few question marks.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Washington), FSH (Houston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals LH Gio Gonzalez (13-6, 3.34 ERA) vs. Astros RH Armando Galarraga (0-1, 5.23)

Gonzalez has surrendered four earned runs in each of his last two starts and lost to the Miami Marlins last week despite notching 10 strikeouts and not walking a batter. The left-hander is 1-3 with a 4.75 ERA over his last five starts after going 12-3 with a 2.92 mark in his first 17 turns. Gonzalez dominated Houston on April 17, yielding two hits and walking a pair in seven scoreless innings while striking out eight. His 147 strikeouts rank fifth in the National League.

Galarraga is attempting to resurrect his career with the Astros after being cast aside by Arizona last season. The 30-year-old right-hander has made two starts for Houston and struggled with his command in a loss at Atlanta last Friday, issuing seven walks in 5 1/3 innings while suffering the loss. Galarraga was better in his first start, walking only one and striking out five while allowing three runs (two earned) in five innings against Pittsburgh. He has never faced the Nationals.

WALK-OFFS

1. Washington will be trying to clinch its first series win in Houston since 2007 on Wednesday.

2. Astros CF Jordan Schafer (shoulder) was placed on the DL on Tuesday.

3. The Nationals gave OF Jayson Werth the start off on Tuesday after he was forced out of Monday’s game with leg soreness.