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Jun 8, 2009 - 8:46 PM By MATT BEARDMORE STATS Writer

Cincinnati (29-27) at Washington (15-40), 7:05 p.m. EDT

With the worst record in baseball, the Washington Nationals continue to struggle. Facing a Cincinnati Reds team that's had trouble winning in the nation's capital could be exactly what they need to start stringing some victories together.

Washington continues its 10-game homestand Tuesday night at Nationals Park, where it takes on Cincinnati in the opener of a three-game set.

The Nationals (15-40) were shut out for the second time this season in Sunday's 7-0 loss to the New York Mets. Washington mustered just five singles as its batting average dipped to .225 during its current 2-10 stretch.

The Nationals, who had beaten New York 7-1 on Saturday, again failed to win consecutive games - something they haven't done since May 8-9.

"After we played such a good game yesterday, that's the last thing you want to do," manager Manny Acta told the Nationals' official Web site. "We need to take that next step."

Facing Cincinnati (29-27) could help. The Nationals have won six straight at home against the Reds, including a three-game sweep Aug. 1-3 in Cincinnati's first visit to Nationals Ballpark. The Reds' last win at Washington was a 5-0 victory at RFK Stadium on April 26, 2006.

Cincinnati hasn't enjoyed much success at any opposing field lately, losing eight of 10 away from Great American Ball Park.

That could benefit Nationals rookie starter Jordan Zimmermann (2-3, 5.71 ERA). The 23-year-old right-hander is 0-3 with a 6.64 ERA in seven starts since winning his first two career outings. Zimmermann had a solid effort in Thursday's 5-1 defeat to San Francisco, but lost his second straight start after striking out seven and allowing two runs over six innings.

"He threw the ball very well," Acta said. "He made a mistake giving up a hit on 0-2 against the eighth hitter (Emmanuel Burriss) with the pitcher on deck, but that's something that he's here to learn."

The Reds will counter with Johnny Cueto (5-3, 2.43), who led them to their last victory on the road - a 9-3 win over St. Louis on Wednesday in which he allowed just one run over 6 1-3 innings.

Cueto had pitched seven or more innings in his previous eight starts, and is 1-1 with a 4.15 ERA in two career starts against Washington.

The Reds will try to give him more run support than they provided their pitching staff in Sunday's 14-inning, 6-3 home loss to the Chicago Cubs. Cincinnati was 0 for 13 with runners in scoring position as it fell for the third time in four games.

"It should never have gotten that far," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. "We had chances. We couldn't get the big hit."

Jay Bruce had a pinch-hit double in Sunday's loss, but is batting .091 (3 for 33) in his last 10 games. Bruce was 4 for 12 with two homers in the Reds' last visit to Washington.

Ryan Zimmerman missed all seven games against Cincinnati last season due to injuries to his left shoulder and right hand. The Nationals third baseman is batting .409 (9 for 22) in six career home games versus the Reds.