Washington @ San Francisco preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 10, 2014 ) Washington 2, San Francisco 1

The San Francisco Giants look to snap their first losing skid in nearly four weeks on Wednesday when they host the Washington Nationals, who have won nine of their last 11 and remain tied with Atlanta atop the National League East. San Francisco entered the series on a five-game winning streak but has been held to a total of two runs in back-to-back losses to Washington. Nationals’ starting pitchers have posted 11 straight quality starts and a 1.08 ERA over the past eight contests.

Washington third baseman Anthony Rendon returned Tuesday after missing three games with a swollen right hand, but the team received a scare when catcher Wilson Ramos exited with a tight right hamstring in the ninth inning. Ramos has already missed 32 games this season due to injury, but the Nationals hope he won’t require a third trip to the disabled list. Giants catcher Buster Posey has bounced back from a quiet May by going 12-for-34 during his eight-game hitting streak.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Tanner Roark (4-4, 2.91 ERA) vs. Giants RH Matt Cain (1-3, 3.52)

Roark blanked San Diego for the second time this season last Friday, when he allowed three hits over eight shutout innings while striking out a career-high 11 batters. “He’s been pitching like that for us all year,” manager Matt Williams told reporters. “He just continues to pound the zone, all of his pitches. Pretty impressive.” Roark, who has a 4.42 ERA in six road starts this season, tossed two scoreless innings in relief against the Giants last Aug. 13.

Cain returned from his second stint on the disabled list this season with a strong outing last Thursday, when he held the Mets to two runs on three hits over seven frames. Ian Desmond is 5-for-12 with a home run against the three-time All-Star, who is 5-4 with a 3.12 ERA in 13 career starts against Washington. Cain owns a 2.91 ERA in three home starts this season compared to a 3.94 ERA in six outings away from AT&T Park.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Giants are 3-19 when trailing after eight innings.

2. Roark is 3-0 and has not allowed an earned run in 26 innings covering four games (three starts) against National League West opponents.

3. San Francisco RHP Santiago Casilla (hamstring) will begin a minor-league rehab assignment Thursday and could rejoin the Giants for next Tuesday’s game against the Chicago White Sox.

PREDICTION: Giants 5, Nationals 3