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Nationals-Padres Preview

May 28, 2010 - 4:26 AM By JEFF MEZYDLO STATS Senior Writer

Washington (24-23) at San Diego (28-18), 10:05 p.m. EDT

Though San Diego's latest winning streak was snapped, a visit from the Washington Nationals could help the Padres get another one started.

The NL West leaders look to bounce back from their first loss of the week while trying to continue their recent dominance of the visiting Nationals on Friday night.

After allowing three runs in four games, San Diego (28-19) had its four-game winning streak snapped with an 8-3 loss to the Cardinals on Thursday.

The Padres hope that's just a minor bump in the road as they try for a fifth straight home win over the Nationals (24-24). San Diego has won seven of eight at Petco Park against Washington, and eight of 10 overall in the series.

Like San Diego, the Nationals have been one of the biggest surprises in the NL this season, but they've lost nine of 13 heading into San Diego.

Though Padres' pitchers endured a rough time Thursday, the team's 2.96 ERA is the lowest in the majors.

"That's a good team," St. Louis' Albert Pujols told the Padres' official website. "It's a talented ballclub, and they play hard. They've got good pitching. There's nothing to be surprised, that's why they're leading the West.

Clayton Richard (4-2, 2.73 ERA) looks to help the Padres get back on track as he tries for a fifth consecutive victory.

The left-hander, who's 4-0 with a 1.97 ERA in his last five starts, allowed one run in seven innings for the second straight appearance in a 2-1 win at Seattle on Saturday.

"In my opinion, that might have been the best I have seen him," teammate Chase Headley told the Padres' official website of Richard.

Richard allowed one run in 6 2-3 innings during his only appearance against Washington on Sept. 1.

Despite winning their second straight series, the Padres could use a little more offense after scoring six runs against the Cardinals.

That could start with All-Star Adrian Gonzalez, who went 1 for 13 in the set. Gonzalez, however, is a lifetime .325 hitter with five homers and 19 RBIs in 24 games against Washington.

The Nationals look to bounce back after dropping two of three at San Francisco to open a 10-game trip.

"We just have to keep playing hard," outfielder Josh Willingham told the Nationals' official website.

Adam Dunn, who went 5 for 13 in the series, homered for the 10th time and was denied another after umpires used instant replay to uphold their original ruling in the Nationals' 5-4 loss to the Giants on Thursday.

Willingham hit his ninth homer and is 8 for 16 with three home runs and eight RBIs in his last five games. However, he's batting .188 in 18 games against San Diego.

Still searching for his first win since April 5, Washington's John Lannan (1-2, 5.55) takes the ball while trying for a third straight strong start.

Though Lannan hasn't factored in the decision of his last three starts, he's given up three runs and seven hits in 11 1-3 innings of the last two. The left-hander allowed one and two hits in 5 1-3 innings of a 4-3, 10-inning win over Baltimore on Sunday.

Lannan is 0-2 with a 3.12 ERA in four starts against the Padres.