Washington @ San Francisco preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 5, 2012 ) San Francisco 5, Washington 6

Washington visits San Francisco in a battle between division leaders, and runs figure to be at a premium during the three-game series. After Gio Gonzalez and Ryan Vogelsong meet in the opener, Jordan Zimmermann faces Madison Bumgarner on Tuesday before Stephen Strasburg takes on Tim Lincecum. Washington had its season-high eight-game winning streak snapped Sunday, but the Nationals still pace the National League East by 4.5 games over Atlanta. The Giants lead the Dodgers by one game in the NL West after scoring five runs in the eighth inning to beat Colorado on Sunday.

While the Nationals’ offense has been rolling, rookie Bryce Harper’s slump continues. He’s 1-for-18 during the first seven games of the team’s road trip, and his .249 batting average is the lowest it’s been since May 20. The Giants have won seven of their last 10, and they’re expected to get third baseman Pablo Sandoval (hamstring) back Monday. Sandoval will likely also see time at first base, while Marco Scutaro gets regular playing time at second base, shortstop and third base. The Giants are hoping Sunday’s tiebreaking three-run homer sparks Hunter Pence, who is 8-for-52 since being acquired from Philadelphia at the trade deadline but did receive a standing ovation after Sunday's blast.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals LH Gio Gonzalez (14-6, 3.32 ERA) vs. Giants RH Ryan Vogelsong (10-5, 2.27)

Gonzalez tossed his first complete game since 2010 last Wednesday against the Astros, giving up three runs while also hitting the first home run of his career. He has gone 3-3 with a 3.97 ERA in his last seven starts and has a 42-to-15 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 45 1/3 innings over that span. He’s making his first trip back to the Bay Area since being traded by Oakland during the offseason.

Vogelsong leads the National League and ranks second in the majors with a 2.27 ERA in 21 starts this season. He pitched seven shutout innings last Wednesday at St. Louis for his NL-leading 19th quality start. He’s making his first career start against Washington after posting a 1.13 ERA in four career relief appearances, all with Pittsburgh.

WALK-OFFS

1. Washington has won 12 of its last 14 road games.

2. Since the All-Star break, Giants C Buster Posey has hit safely in 24 of 27 games, batting .449 (44-for-98) with 14 runs, nine homers, 33 RBIs and 17 walks.

3. Nationals OF Mike Morse has a 10-game hitting streak, but it would’ve been 21 games if his single on Aug. 2 wasn’t changed to an error after the Phillies appealed the ruling.