Cincinnati @ Washington preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 22, 2010 ) Washington 7, Cincinnati 1

THE STORY: It’s getting late for the Cincinnati Reds to make a run at repeating as NL Central champs. They had a four-game win streak snapped Sunday against San Diego, which dropped them 11 games behind Milwaukee entering Monday night’s action. But the nine-game road trip they’ll start Tuesday in Washington presents an opportunity. The entire trip is against losing teams. The Reds, who rank second in the NL in runs but 12th in ERA, probably need to win seven of nine to keep their faint hopes alive.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, MASN, FS-O

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Chien-Ming Wang (1-2, 3.60 ERA) vs. Reds RH Mike Leake (10-7, 3.84 ERA).

Due to Sunday's rainout, Wang will be pitching on extra rest for the second straight time. It seemed to help last week as he tossed six scoreless innings of one-hit ball against the Cubs. Manager Davey Johnson said he had been limiting Wang’s pitch counts but now believes he can go deep in the game. In Wang’s three starts, batters are hitting .286 against him.

Leake has allowed three runs or less in five straight starts. In his last outing, he limited the Rockies to two runs over 7 1/3 innings despite allowing 11 hits. Leake, who leads Cincy in wins, is 2-0 with a 0.75 ERA in two career starts against the Nationals. He’s posted a fine 3.40 ERA on the road this season.

ABOUT THE NATIONALS (57-62): Washington and Philadelphia opted not to make up Sunday’s rainout on Monday even though both had open dates. The game will be played during a split doubleheader on Sept. 20, when the teams can take advantage of expanded rosters. Pitcher John Lannan tweaked his left knee while making a spectacular play on Saturday. The team hasn’t said if the injury is serious. The Nationals rank 11th in the NL with 464 runs.

ABOUT THE REDS (59-62): Jay Bruce has homered in three straight games and four of his last five. He has a career-high 26 homers and 78 RBIs. Second baseman Brandon Phillips returned to the lineup Sunday after missing four straight starts with a bruised left elbow. He went 0-for-3 with a walk and a run scored. Rookie outfielder Dave Sappelt has yet to walk in 30 at-bats. He’s hitting .233 with four strikeouts and no RBIs.

FINAL PITCH: The Reds and Nationals are meeting for the first time this season. They’ll also play in Cincinnati from Aug. 26-28.