Pittsburgh @ Washington preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 23, 2013 ) Pittsburgh 5, Washington 1

Washington pitcher Stephen Strasburg has never lost to Pittsburgh and memories of his sterling major-league debut in 2010 will again be percolating when the Nationals host the Pirates in Wednesday’s third contest of a four-game set. Strasburg fanned 14 in seven innings while winning his first career start and is 2-0 with 35 strikeouts in 20 innings in three outings against the Pirates. Pittsburgh won the first two games of the series to extend Washington’s losing streak to five games.

The Nationals had just three hits in Tuesday’s 5-1 loss, the first contest with Rick Schu as hitting coach after Monday’s firing of Rick Eckstein. Washington has lost 10 of its last 12 games and is a season-worst four games below .500. Pittsburgh placed All-Star closer Jason Grilli (forearm) on the disabled list on Tuesday and will use All-Star setup man Mark Melancon as the closer during Grilli’s absence.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, ROOT (Pittsburgh), MASN (Washington)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates LH Francisco Liriano (9-4, 2.44 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Stephen Strasburg (5-7, 2.97)

Liriano had a four-start winning streak snapped by losing to the Cincinnati Reds in his last outing. He gave up a season-worst five runs – and five hits – in a season-low 4 1/3 innings while allowing more than two runs for only the third time in 13 starts. Liriano is 4-3 with a 3.12 ERA in seven road starts.

Strasburg received a no-decision against Pittsburgh on May 4 when he allowed four runs and five hits in seven innings. He allowed two runs and seven hits in seven innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 19 but wasn’t involved in the decision. Strasburg hasn’t fanned 10 or more batters in any of his 19 starts this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. Pittsburgh C Russell Martin had three hits Tuesday and is 5-for-7 in the series.

2. Washington 3B Ryan Zimmerman is hitless in 12 at-bats over the last three games.

3. Pirates 1B Garrett Jones is 1-for-9 with six strikeouts against Strasburg while All-Star CF Andrew McCutchen is 1-for-7 with three strikeouts.

PREDICTION: Nationals 3, Pirates 1