Washington @ San Francisco preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 11, 2014 ) Washington 6, San Francisco 2

The San Francisco Giants look to avoid their first sweep of the season when they host the Washington Nationals on Thursday in the finale of a four-game set. The Giants have scored only five runs in the first three games of the series - the first time they have dropped three straight since April 17-19. San Francisco has the right pitcher on the mound to halt the skid in veteran right-hander Tim Hudson, who owns a 16-5 lifetime record against the Nationals.

Hudson is living up to the two-year, $23 million contract he signed in the offseason, becoming the first San Francisco pitcher to post a sub-2.00 ERA in his first 12 starts. He'll contend with a red-hot Washington squad that is riding a four-game winning streak and has amassed 51 runs during an 8-1 stretch. Jayson Werth smacked his first homer since May 14 on Wednesday and is 10-for-25 with seven RBIs during a six-game hitting streak.

TV: 3:45 p.m. ET, MASN (Washington), CSN Bay Area (San Francisco)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Blake Treinen (0-2, 1.78 ERA) vs. Giants RH Tim Hudson (6-2, 1.97)

Treinen is still searching for his first major-league victory, but the rookie has been impressive despite alternating between the bullpen and starting rotation. Making his second start in over two weeks, the former South Dakota State product limited San Diego to two runs on five hits over a season-high six innings last time out. Treinen has allowed a total of seven runs (four earned) in his three starts.

Hudson is coming off his worst outing since joining the Giants, lasting only five innings and permitting three runs on a season-high nine hits and three walks versus the New York Mets. The 38-year-old Hudson was superb in his previous two starts, allowing nine hits over 14 scoreless innings. Hudson must be wary of Werth, who is batting .385 with three homers and 11 RBIs against him.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Giants are 6-0 at home when Hudson starts.

2. Nationals C Jose Lobaton, who takes over as the starter with Wilson Ramos on the disabled list, has struck out 15 times in his last 26 at-bats.

3. Giants SS Brandon Crawford has hit safely in eight straight games.

PREDICTION: Giants 4, Nationals 2