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Roark seeks to pitch Nats to series lead vs. Padres

Apr 26, 2014 - 12:05 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - Right-hander Tanner Roark can give Washington a series lead on Saturday afternoon when the Nationals again host the San Diego Padres for the third contest of a four-game set at Nationals Park.

San Diego won Thursday's opener before Washington got even on Friday, when Stephen Strasburg fanned 11 over seven scoreless frames in an 11-1 rout.

The former No. 1 overall draft choice walked two batters while allowing seven hits.

Anthony Rendon went 4-for-5 with two RBI and Bryce Harper had two hits and four RBI. Ian Desmond and Jose Lobaton each picked up three hits and pair of RBI and Adam LaRoche drove in one for Washington, which had been 0-for 16 with runners in scoring position in game one.

Nick Hundley went 2-for-4 and drove in the Padres' lone run.

Robbie Erlin (1-3) was shelled for eight runs on 13 hits over 5 1/3 innings.

Roark pitched 6 2/3 innings of effective ball in his last start on Monday against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, but wound up with a no-decision after the bullpen faltered in a game the Nationals lost, 4-2.

His opponents are near the basement in the majors in many offensive categories, including runs (65), home runs (13), batting average (.226) and on-base percentage (.278).

It's start No. 10 in a brief big-league career for Roark, who was 7-1 while making 14 appearances and starting five games in 2013. He's started four times this season and has posted a 3.80 earned run average in 23 2/3 innings.

Replying for San Diego is Andrew Cashner, who's making his second career start against Washington.

He started for the first time against the Nationals last July and gave up six runs while lasting just two innings in an 8-5 loss.

He was touched for four runs in six innings of a 4-3 loss to Milwaukee in his last outing on Monday.

It ended an 11-start streak in which he'd allowed two or fewer earned runs.

"I didn't execute well with my sinker," Cashner said.. "I was up with it quite a bit."

The Padres lost five of seven matchups with Washington last season and are only 5-12 in the previous 17 meetings between the teams.

Washington swept a three-game set at home versus the Padres last July 5-7.