Washington @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 28, 2011 ) Washington 5, LA Angels 11

THE STORY: The Los Angeles Angels could be making their run, with seven victories in their last nine games. They hope to continue to move forward with the next 11 at Angel Stadium, where they have not had as much success as they would like. Los Angeles will send Dan Haren to the mound to try and finish the sweep against Jordan Zimmerman and the Washington Nationals on Wednesday. The Angels, who were five games over .500 at home last season and 49-32 in 2009, won the first two of the series to improve their home record to 17-20. The Nationals, who have lost three of four, will head home for 11 straight games after tonight’s contest.

TV: 7:05 p.m. EST, FS-West, MASN2.

PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels RH Dan Haren (7-5, 3.05) vs. Nationals RH Jordan Zimmerman (5-6, 2.85).

Haren allowed three runs over six innings in his last start June 24 to earn the victory over the Dodgers. He has won three of five and has 92 strikeouts and 17 walks in 109 1/3 innings overall. Haren is 2-2 lifetime with a 3.10 ERA in 29 innings against Washington. Jayson Werth is 3-for-7 with a home run against Haren.

Zimmerman pitched seven shutout innings in his last start against the White Sox, but did not get a decision. He is 3-0 his last five starts, allowing just four runs in 34 1/3 innings. Zimmerman has 67 strikeouts and 19 walks in 94 2/3 innings. Zimmerman has never faced the Angels, but is 2-1 in inter-league play.

ABOUT THE ANGELS (41-40): Vernon Wells would like to forget his first two months with the Angels. He struggled with the bat and missed 26 games due to injury. But as the Angels start to make a move, Wells has been one of the players leading the pack. The left fielder, acquired from the Blue Jays in the off season, is 13-for-36 with four home runs and nine RBIs in the last nine games. Erick Aybar has also been a major factor, going 13-for-38 with eight RBIs the last nine games. Aybar is 19-for-56 with runners in scoring position.

ABOUT THE NATIONALS (40-40): Washington came into Tuesday’s game with 41 errors, seventh least in the majors. But the Nationals made a season-high five in an 11-5 loss and gave up three homers in Davey Johnson’s second game as manager. It was the first time Washington had lost two in a row since June 9. Werth doubled and scored on a Ryan Zimmerman single in the first inning, but the two sluggers went a combined 0-for-7 after that. Werth is 5-for-39 with no RBIs the last 10 games. Michael Morse is 4-for-9 in the series to raise his average to .306 and Laynce Nix had four hits Tuesday.

FINAL PITCH: Angels manager Mike Scioscia has 129 interleague victories, two behind Joe Torre’s record of 131 with four games against the National league left this season. Scioscia is 1,021-842 in his career.