Washington @ Arizona preview
Chase Field
Last Meeting ( May 3, 2012 ) Arizona 1, Washington 2
The National League East-leading Washington Nationals try to extend their winning streak as they continue their road trip Friday with the opener of a three-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Washington, which has won six straight overall and eight of nine, began its 10-game road trip with a four-game sweep in Houston that was capped by a 5-0 win Thursday. Jordan Zimmermann struck out 11 over six innings while Michael Morse extended his hitting streak to 18 games with a pair of homers.
After getting back into the playoff picture in the NL West with an 11-3 run, Arizona has lost four of its last six. Despite their recent struggles, the Diamondbacks still are only four games behind division-leading San Francisco. Arizona, which completed a 6-4 road trip with a 6-3 triumph at Pittsburgh on Thursday, heads right back out on the road following this series for a six-game trek to St. Louis and Houston.
TV: 9:40 p.m. ET, MASN 2 (Washington), FSN (Arizona)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Stephen Strasburg (12-5, 2.97 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks RH Trevor Cahill (9-9, 3.76)
Strasburg bounced back from a rough outing against Philadelphia on July 31 by scattering three hits over six scoreless innings in a victory over Miami on Sunday. The 24-year-old, who leads the major leagues with an average of 11.3 strikeouts per nine innings, has pitched 127 1/3 frames thus far as he moves closer to his reported season limit of 160 innings. Strasburg received a no-decision in his only career start against Arizona on Aug. 15, 2010, allowing three runs - one earned - over five innings.
Cahill is coming off a no-decision at Philadelphia on Sunday in which he allowed three runs over seven innings. The 24-year-old alternated wins and losses over his previous five starts following a two-game skid. Cahill, who his 4-5 with a 4.87 ERA in 10 home outings, yielded one run over 7 1/3 frames in a victory at Washington on May 1.
WALK-OFFS
1. Morse's 18-game hitting streak is now the longest current run in the majors as Miami's Jose Reyes had his 26-game streak snapped Thursday.
2. Diamondbacks 3B Chris Johnson is 13-for-38 (.342) in 10 games since being acquired from Houston on July 29.
3. Claimed off waivers from Colorado on Monday, C Wil Nieves went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer in his Diamondbacks debut on Thursday.