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Nationals continue series with Padres in D.C.

Apr 25, 2014 - 2:33 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - Former No. 1 overall draft choice Stephen Strasburg aims for a second straight strong outing on Friday night when the Washington Nationals host the San Diego Padres in game two of a four-game series at Nationals Park.

The top pick in the 2010 draft has posted an unsightly 5.33 earned run average and a 1-2 record thus far in 2014, but struck out nine batters in six innings and allowed just two runs against St. Louis in his last start, which the Nationals ultimately won, 3-2.

One start earlier, he'd been dinged for six runs in an 11-2 loss to Miami.

Strasburg has won two of three career starts against the Padres, including an 11-7 decision on July 7 last season in which he allowed four runs on seven hits in six innings.

San Diego counters with lefty Robbie Erlin, who's lost two straight starts.

He allowed three runs in 4 2/3 innings while dropping a 3-2 verdict to Colorado on April 15, then lost, 4-3, to San Francisco after giving up four runs in six innings on Sunday.

He did, however, retire the final 14 batters he faced against the Giants.

"I'm happy with that, but again, those adjustments should be made earlier on to stop those two runs from scoring," Erlin said. "It's something to improve upon going forward and something to work on."

He faced Strasburg in the July 7 start last season and was tagged for nine runs in four innings.

On Thursday, Xavier Nady's RBI single in the 12th inning lifted the Padres to a 4-3 win in the series opener.

Jedd Gyorko reached on a single with one out in the 12th off Craig Stammen (0-1). He then stole second and moved to third on Jose Lobaton's throwing error. Nady followed with a single to plate the game-winning run.

Bryce Harper opened the bottom of the inning with a double to left field. Harper lifted what appeared to be a routine fly ball to left-center, but left fielder Tommy Medica tripped, allowing the ball to fall in for a hit. Medica, who is used primarily as a first baseman, entered the game as a defensive replacement in the 11th.

The Nationals, who left 14 runners on base, couldn't cash in on the scoring opportunity.

Huston Street struck out Tyler Moore and got Lobaton to line into a game- ending double-play. Lobaton roped a liner to the left side, but Everth Cabrera was there to snare the ball and double Harper off at second. Street picked up his eighth save of the season. Alex Torres (1-0) recorded the final two outs of the 11th inning to earn the win.