St. Louis @ Washington preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 1, 2012 ) Washington 2, St. Louis 1

The St. Louis Cardinals haven’t scored a run in 21 innings as they begin a four-game series against the host Washington Nationals on Thursday. The Cardinals were blanked by Pittsburgh in back-to-back games and own a one-game lead over the Pirates in the National League wild-card race. Washington snapped a five-game losing Wednesday behind the first two-homer game of Bryce Harper’s career. The Nationals lead the NL East by five games over the Atlanta Braves.

Washington tallied just six runs during its five-game skid. The Nationals broke out with 14 hits in the 8-4 victory over the Miami Marlins. The 19-year-old Harper drew a scolding from manager Davey Johnson after the two-homer contest due to his ninth-inning ejection for slamming down his helmet after hitting into a double play. The Cardinals won six of seven games prior to their bats going cold in the final two games against the Pirates. St. Louis scored 46 runs during the seven-game stretch.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Midwest (St. Louis), Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (Washington)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals LH Jaime Garcia (3-5, 4.15 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Edwin Jackson (7-9, 3.72)

Garcia is making his third start since returning from a shoulder injury that sidelined him two-plus months. He had a sharp first outing against the Pittsburgh Pirates – striking out 10 and allowing just two unearned runs in eight innings in a no-decision – before losing to Cincinnati in his last start. Garcia gave up four runs and seven hits in six innings against the Reds. He is 2-0 with a 1.65 ERA in three career starts against Washington.

Jackson has lost back-to-back outings and has won just one of his last five starts. He gave up three runs and seven hits in six innings while losing to the Philadelphia Phillies in his last outing. Jackson hasn’t faced St. Louis this season. He is 0-2 with a 3.54 ERA in five career appearances (four starts) against the Cardinals.

WALK-OFFS

1. Washington SS Ian Desmond, who has two hits in three of his last five starts, is a career .365 hitter in 12 games against St. Louis.

2. Cardinals C Yadier Molina (neck, shoulder) hopes to return to the lineup after sitting out Wednesday’s game. He is 7-for-8 with a homer against Jackson.

3. Nationals OF Michael Morse is batting .417 with three homers, one triple and six doubles in 12 career games against St. Louis.