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Nationals-Astros Preview

Jun 1, 2010 - 12:32 AM By MIKE LIPKA STATS Writer

Washington (25-26) at Houston (17-33), 8:05 p.m. EDT

The Washington Nationals haven't gotten many chances to face the NL's worst club in recent seasons because that title has consistently belonged to them.

Now that the Houston Astros occupy that spot, Washington may be relishing the opportunity.

After matching their season high in runs in the series opener, the Nationals and red-hot slugger Ryan Zimmerman look for another victory Tuesday night as they continue their four-game set in Houston.

The Nationals (26-26) are one of the most improved teams in the majors, entering June at or above .500 for the first time since 2005 after losing more than 100 games each of the last two years.

"As good as we've been, we can do a lot better," Zimmerman said. "It's exciting. If we can get rolling and scoring some runs, the way our pitchers have been throwing, we'll be a good team."

The Astros (17-34) appear headed in the opposite direction. They rank last in the majors with 155 runs, and ace Roy Oswalt has requested a trade.

Oswalt was ejected during the third inning of Monday's 14-4 loss to the Nationals, and Washington took advantage by piling up nine runs in the seventh. Zimmerman's third home run in his last two games was a three-run shot in that inning, while both he and Adam Dunn had four RBIs in the game.

The outburst was a relief for the Nationals, who had been held to three or fewer runs nine times while losing 11 of their previous 16.

"It was kind of a snowball effect," outfielder Josh Willingham said. "Even some balls we weren't hitting well were falling, so it was a good day for everybody at the plate. You need a game like that every now and then."

It may not be quite as easy against Houston's Brett Myers. The right-hander held four of his five May opponents to two or fewer runs, going 2-1 with a 2.65 ERA in the month.

Myers (3-3. 3.22 ERA) was in line for a victory Thursday at Milwaukee before closer Matt Lindstrom blew the save in a 4-3, 10-inning Houston defeat.

"Every loss sucks," Myers said. "It's not fun to lose, but Matt's been throwing the ball great. You got to go with what you got."

Myers will hope to give his bullpen a break after Houston relievers were forced to pitch 6 2-3 innings Monday following Oswalt's ejection. The Astros' bullpen has had major problems lately, posting a 9.82 ERA in the club's last eight games.

The Astros have dropped 13 of their last 17 overall, and Washington's Craig Stammen (1-2, 5.60) hopes facing them can help bring his first victory since April 19. The right-hander is 0-2 in his last seven starts.

Stammen also left his latest outing with the lead after allowing three runs - two earned - in 6 1-3 innings Thursday at San Francisco, but the Nationals lost 5-4.

Stammen's only career complete game was at Houston on July 11, when he scattered nine hits in a 13-2 victory.