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Nationals target sweep of Padres in D.C.

Jul 7, 2013 - 2:48 PM (Sports Network) - Aside from an injury, Stephen Strasburg has pitched well enough to win each of his last eight starts.

The problem is the Nationals haven't been giving the high-profile right-hander much run support.

Strasburg will be back on the hill Sunday when Washington goes for a three- game sweep of the San Diego Padres at Nationals Park.

The Nats have given Strasburg four runs over the last four games he's started. He is 1-1 in that span, but has given up just four earned runs in 26 frames during that time. Strasburg hasn't yielded more than two earned runs in any of his last nine starts.

A native of San Diego, Strasburg sports a 1.56 ERA in his last 12 home starts dating back to August of last season. He's 1-1 with a 3.75 ERA in two starts against the Padres, a team that will try to avoid a ninth straight loss today.

Robbie Erlin gets the start today for the Padres in his sixth major league appearance and his fourth start.

The 23-year-old left-hander was lifted after 3 2/3 innings at Boston on Tuesday when he surrendered three runs on five hits and three walks in a 4-1 defeat.

On Saturday, Ryan Zimmerman singled home the go-ahead run in the seventh inning to lead the Nats to a 5-4 win. Bryce Harper had three RBI, Adam LaRoche hit a solo homer and Denard Span went 2-for-3 and with a pair of runs scored for the Nationals, winners in three straight.

Jesus Guzman cracked a three-run homer for the Padres.

Nick Vincent (2-1) was pegged with the loss after putting the eventual game- winning run on base in the seventh.

San Diego catcher Yasmani Grandal left the game in the third inning with an apparent right knee injury. Grandal suffered the injury after Nationals second baseman Anthony Rendon slid into his right leg on a play at the plate. Grandal remained on the ground for several minutes before we has carried off the field by the Padres training staff.

Grandal will likely go on the disabled list soon.

The Nationals have won 10 of the last 15 meetings with San Diego.