Washington @ San Francisco preview

Last Meeting ( May 20, 2013 ) Washington 0, San Francisco 8

The Washington Nationals look to snap a three-game losing streak Tuesday against the host San Francisco Giants, who opened the series Monday with a season-high 17 hits in an 8-0 victory. The win was tempered by an injury to starting pitcher Ryan Vogelsong, who suffered a fractured right hand when he was hit by a pitch while swinging in the fifth inning. Vogelsong will be out 6-to-8 weeks with the injury to his throwing hand.

The Nationals were held to three hits and fell to 3-5 on their 10-game road trip. Right fielder Bryce Harper returned to the lineup after missing two games with a sore left knee, but left fielder Jayson Werth (hamstring) could be out for another two weeks after experiencing a setback last week. The Nationals have scored two or fewer runs six times in their last 10 games, and reserve outfielders Roger Bernadina (.125) and Tyler Moore (.127) are both struggling at the plate.

TV: 10:15 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Washington), Comcast SportsNet Bay Area (San Francisco)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Stephen Strasburg (2-5, 2.83 ERA) vs. Giants RH Matt Cain (3-2, 5.43)

Strasburg allowed two runs (one earned) while throwing 117 pitches over a career-high eight innings Thursday in a 6-2 victory at San Diego. He isn’t striking out batters at his usual pace - 368 in 308 2/3 career innings, but 55 in 57 1/3 this season, although he is averaging 6 1/3 innings per start. Unlike last season, Strasburg is working without an innings limit. “I'm strong enough to go over 100 pitches and be successful, and not lose movement,” Strasburg told reporters after his last start.

Cain earned the victory Thursday against Colorado despite allowing six earned runs over 6 1/3 innings. He gave up three home runs in the contest and has allowed 13 in his first nine starts. Adam LaRoche is 6-for-26 with seven strikeouts against Cain, who is 5-4 with a 3.17 ERA in 12 career starts against the Nationals. The three-time All-Star allowed three runs in 6 2/3 innings in his only start against the Nationals last year.

WALK-OFFS

1. Giants 2B Marco Scutaro went 2-for-5 on Monday to extend his hitting streak to 18 games, the longest in the majors this season.

2. Nationals RHP reliever Ryan Mattheus broke his throwing hand punching a locker after giving up five runs in the seventh inning Sunday and will be placed on the disabled list.

3. Giants 1B Brandon Belt homered among his four hits Monday and is 14-for-34 over his past 11 games.

PREDICTION: Nationals 4, Giants 1