Washington @ San Diego preview

Last Meeting ( May 16, 2013 ) Washington 6, San Diego 2

Washington outfielder Bryce Harper appears to have recovered from his collision with the wall at Dodger Stadium earlier this week. Harper hit a mammoth home run in his return to the starting lineup and looks to deliver more damage when the Nationals meet the host San Diego Padres in Friday’s second contest of a four-game set. Harper smacked a 431-foot shot to center in a 6-2 series-opening win. San Diego is 9-2 in its last 11 home games.

The Padres have lost four of six games to follow an 11-3 stretch. San Diego, which is in fourth place in the National League West, got its seven-game homestand off to a rough start as it was shut down by San Diego native Stephen Strasburg in the opener. Outfielder Carlos Quentin is expected back after missing the opener due to the birth of his son. Washington's Adam LaRoche has homered in consecutive games after launching a booming two-run shot in the opener. LaRoche is batting .386 during his 13-game hitting streak.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, MASN 2 (Washington), FSN (San Diego)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals LH Gio Gonzalez (3-2, 4.20 ERA) vs. Padres RH Burch Smith (0-0, 54.00)

Gonzalez has been strong in his last two outings, allowing only two runs and seven hits over 13 innings. The solid starts follow a stretch in which he gave up five or more runs in three of four turns. Gonzalez is 1-1 with a 7.71 ERA in three road starts this season , giving up 17 hits and walking 11 in 14 innings. He yielded two hits over six scoreless frames last season in his lone career start against San Diego.

Smith’s major-league debut was a rough one as he failed to record an out during a six-run second inning by the Tampa Bay Rays. He was removed after throwing 26 pitches in the second frame as he allowed five hits and two walks. Smith was pitching for Double-A San Antonio before being recalled. He was a 14th-round pick in the 2011 draft after pitching college ball at Oklahoma.

WALK-OFFS

1. San Diego 3B Chase Headley had two hits in the opener and has five multi-hit performances this month.

2. Harper has three career hits against the Padres – all home runs.

3. Quentin is 5-for-11 with a homer and four walks against Gonzalez.

PREDICTION: Nationals 8, Padres 2