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Pirates, Nats close series in DC

Jul 3, 2011 - 2:38 PM (Sports Network) - Jason Marquis hasn't lost in over a month, and the Nationals hope to give the veteran right-hander plenty of run support today when Washington concludes a four-game series with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Marquis is 2-0 over his last six appearances and hasn't lost since May 25 at Milwaukee. He is coming off a no-decision against the Angels on Tuesday, when he threw five-plus innings. The Nats have scored at least five runs in seven of his last 10 starts.

In 27 games (23 starts) over his career, Marquis is 12-6 with a 3.60 ERA when facing the Pirates.

Kevin Correia, who has a two-game winning streak, gets the ball for the Pirates. He's pitched six innings in each of those games, most recently at Toronto on Tuesday when the righty allowed five hits and four runs. He's 2-2 with a 3.28 ERA in 11 games (4 starts) all time against the Nationals.

The teams split a doubleheader yesterday. Ivan Rodriguez slapped a pinch-hit, RBI single in the eighth inning to lead the Nationals to a 4-3 win in the nightcap.

The Pirates took the first contest, 5-3, behind back-to-back, eighth-inning homers from Garrett Jones and Andrew McCutchen.

Trailing 3-2 entering the eighth of the second contest, the Nationals tied the game as pinch-runner Brian Bixler stole third and came home on a throwing error from rookie catcher Eric Fryer.

Later in the frame, with two down, Rodriguez fell behind 0-2, then fought off two fastballs before slicing a line drive to right, scoring Rick Ankiel.

Tony Watson (0-1) allowed the decisive hit.

The Nationals lead the season series, 4-3. Washington has taken 11 of the last 15 in this series.