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Nationals hope for another offensive surge against O's

May 21, 2011 - 2:40 PM (Sports Network) - After posting a team record 17 runs on Friday night the Washington Nationals will try to continue their outstanding offensive surge when they take on the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards in the second of three games of this Beltway Series.

Danny Espinosa knocked in five runs and was a double short of the cycle in the 17-5 victory. Jayson Werth went deep twice to go along with home runs by Espinosa, Roger Bernadina, Wilson Ramos and Laynce Nix to give the Nationals their third win in five games.

Starter Jason Marquis only lasted four innings, allowing five runs on eight hits. The win went to Henry Rodriguez (1-0) as he pitched three scoreless innings of relief.

Jake Arrieta (5-2) lasted just 3 2/3 innings to take the loss. He allowed six runs on six hits and three walks while fanning three in the Orioles' fourth straight defeat.

There could be another offensive explosion on Saturday as the two pitchers squaring off are both dealing with winless streaks.

It has been a month since John Lannan has tasted victory, but the southpaw will look to crack back into the win column when he takes the hill this afternoon at Camden Yards.

Since defeating St. Louis on April 20th, the 26-year-old has gone winless in five starts, dropping three of those contests. However, the last two times he has been on the mound the savvy twirler has made quality starts, but a lack of run support has kept him out of the win column.

The last time the southpaw was on the bump he held the Pirates to just two runs on seven hits in 6 1/3 innings of work. He struck out four batters, but also allowed four walks.

While one of his two victories this season has come on the road, Lannan's performance as the visitor has been abysmal, as the lefty has allowed 17 runs on 31 hits in just 23 2/3 innings of work.

Although this is an interleague matchup the lefty has made four previous starts against Baltimore, and in those outings Lannan has enjoyed some success, posting a 2-1 ledger with a 3.24 earned run average.

If the Orioles are going to snap out of their minor funk they will need Jeremy Guthrie to break through his own issues. Since winning his first start of the season, the right-hander has lost six of his last seven starts.

Guthrie's most recent loss came against Tampa Bay, but the right-hander pitched well in the contest. The 32-year-old surrendered only three runs in eight innings, but a lack of run support left the crafty veteran with his sixth loss on the year.

Guthrie, who is winless at home this season, will be making his seventh career start against the Nationals. In those starts, the right-hander has produced a strong 2.31 earned run average, but only has a 1-1 mark to show for his efforts.

Baltimore won this series by a 4-2 margin last season, but the Nationals got an early jump on this year's Beltway battle. However, even with the win, the Nationals still trail the O's by an 8-5 margin over the past two seasons.