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A more patient approach is paying dividends for the Washington Nationals.
But still well out of playoff position, they hope their offensive improvement isn't coming too late.
Washington seeks its third straight victory Tuesday night behind a rejuvenated Stephen Strasburg against the visiting San Diego Padres.
The Nationals (62-61) have won four of six, totaling 34 runs in those victories after scoring 12 during a season high-matching six-game losing streak. Washington drew eight walks in Sunday's 9-5 win against Milwaukee, including two apiece by Jayson Werth, Anthony Rendon and Ryan Zimmerman.
The club is drawing a walk every 6.3 plate appearances in the last six contests compared to 12.3 previously.
"Those types of offensive at-bats are important," manager Matt Williams told MLB's official website. "Guys are going to hit the ball out of the ballpark on occasion, but that is not the measure of our success. It comes from those extended at-bats."
Washington still trails the NL East-leading New York Mets and is well off the Chicago Cubs' pace for the league's second wild-card spot.
The Nationals have won 10 of the last 14 meetings with San Diego (61-63) while averaging 6.1 runs, and scored 10 twice while taking three of four at Petco Park from May 14-17. Bryce Harper was 8 for 17 with two homers and six RBIs.
Strasburg (7-6, 4.22 ERA) is 4-1 with a 1.26 ERA in his last six starts, fanning 43 in 35 2-3 innings. He's gone at least six innings in all three outings since returning from an oblique strain -- matching the total from his previous 13 starts this year.
He held Colorado to an unearned run and two hits over seven innings in Wednesday's 4-1 road win, looking again like the elite pitcher he's been in years past.
"That's what you can get from him - dominant stuff every time he goes out there," Williams said. "He has a chance to do something special every time he takes the mound."
The right-hander owns a 2.77 ERA in four straight wins against the Padres, including a 10-5 victory May 17.
San Diego's 10-3 loss to St. Louis was just its third in the last 12 games, but it is still batting .298 while averaging 6.1 runs in its last 11.
"This game looks like a blowout, and for all practical purposes it was, but we had some great at-bats," interim manager Pat Murphy said.
Matt Kemp, who has a .361 average with 17 RBIs during a 15-game hitting streak, is batting .436 in his last 12 meetings with Washington. Justin Upton is hitting .360 with 11 home runs and 25 RBIs in his last 31 matchups, and is 6 for 14 with two homers the last two years against Strasburg.
James Shields (9-5, 3.74) won for just the second time in 14 starts Tuesday, yielding five hits over six innings in a 9-0 victory against Atlanta.
He doesn't have a decision with a 5.11 ERA in two matchups with the Nationals, but hasn't faced them since 2009.
Denard Span is expected to rejoin the Nationals after being sidelined since July 6 due to a back injury. He was hitting .304 with 37 runs scored in 59 games.
