Washington @ San Diego preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 6, 2014 ) Washington 6, San Diego 0

The offensively challenged San Diego Padres attempt to bounce back from a dismal effort as they continue their three-game series against the visiting Washington Nationals on Saturday. San Diego mustered only three hits in a 6-0 loss in Friday's opener, two days after posting a 3-2 victory over Pittsburgh despite registering only a bunt single in the first inning. The Padres are last in the major leagues with 191 runs and have scored a total of eight in five games against Washington this season.

The Nationals have had no trouble crossing the plate of late, outscoring their opponents 44-12 while winning six of their last seven games. Anthony Rendon belted a two-run homer and Tanner Roark recorded 11 strikeouts over eight stellar innings in the series-opening win. San Diego's struggles are nothing new to Andrew Cashner, who has watched his team get shut out in four of his five losses this season.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, WUSA 9, MASN (Washington), FSN (San Diego)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Blake Treinen (0-2, 1.40 ERA) vs. Padres RH Andrew Cashner (2-5, 2.35)

Treinen will be making his third start of the season and first since May 22, when he allowed two runs on four hits and five walks over 5 2/3 innings of a loss at Pittsburgh. The 25-year-old was even less fortunate in his first career start May 6 as he yielded three unearned runs in five frames against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Treinen, who will be facing San Diego for the first time, tossed two scoreless innings of relief versus Texas in his last appearance May 30.

Cashner looks to halt a personal four-game losing streak as he returns from an elbow injury to make his first start since May 13. The 27-year-old settled for a no-decision that day despite allowing just one run over seven innings at Cincinnati. Cashner, who hasn't won since topping Colorado on April 16, is 2-2 with a 4.87 ERA in eight games — three starts — against the Nationals.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cashner has allowed more than two earned runs only once in nine starts this season.

2. Nationals LHP Gio Gonzalez (shoulder) made a rehab start for Single-A Potomac on Friday, surrendering eight runs and seven hits in 3 2/3 innings.

3. San Diego placed 2B Jedd Gyorko on the 15-day disabled list with plantar fasciitis and activated LHP Eric Stults from the bereavement list.

PREDICTION: Nationals 3, Padres 1