Washington @ San Francisco preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 13, 2012 ) Washington 14, San Francisco 2

After Monday’s expected pitchers' duel failed to materialize, the Washington Nationals and San Francisco Giants will try again Tuesday at AT&T Park. Washington routed the Giants 14-2 in the series opener, with Ryan Vogelsong’s National League-best 2.27 ERA climbing to 2.72 after he allowed eight runs in 2 2/3 innings. Jordan Zimmermann faces Madison Bumgarner on Tuesday as the Giants look to snap a four-game losing streak to the Nationals, who have outscored San Francisco 38-14 in that stretch. Washington has won 11 of its last 13 games and leads Atlanta by 5 1/2 games in the National League East.

San Francisco, which sits tied for first place in the NL West with the Dodgers, expects to have third baseman Pablo Sandoval (hamstring) in the starting lineup for the first time since July 24. First baseman Brett Pill was optioned to Triple-A Fresno to make room for Sandoval, who fouled out as a pinch hitter on Monday. Nationals outfielder Jayson Werth was scratched from Monday’s starting lineup with right ankle soreness and he’ll undergo a precautionary MRI exam on Tuesday morning. The Nationals are 9-0 in games Werth has started since coming back from the disabled list on Aug. 2.

TV: 10:15 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Washington), CSNBA (San Francisco)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Jordan Zimmermann (9-6, 2.35 ERA) vs. Giants LH Madison Bumgarner (12-7, 3.08)

Zimmermann matched a career high with 11 strikeouts and limited the Astros to three hits over six innings last Thursday. In six starts since the All-Star break, he is 4-0 with a 1.54 ERA and 36 strikeouts in 35 innings. Zimmermann gave up two runs (one earned) over six innings when he faced the Giants on July 3, and he’s allowed one or zero earned runs in 14 of his 23 starts.

Bumgarner allowed three runs with seven strikeouts over six innings last Thursday against St. Louis, and he’s 1-2 with a 4.00 ERA in three career starts against Washington. He took the loss in his start against the Nationals on July 4, giving up seven runs in five innings. Bumgarner has tossed six straight quality starts while posting a 45-to-8 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

WALK-OFFS

1. Nationals SS Ian Desmond completed a full workout at AT&T Park on Monday and could be nearing a rehab assignment. Desmond has been on the disabled list since July 22 with a left oblique strain.

2. The Giants are 12-16 against NL East teams this season, including 3-8 at AT&T Park.

3. The Nationals have won 12 of their last 13 road games, and they own the best road winning percentage in the majors at .656 (40-21).