The Nationals play the third game of a three-game series against the Padres on Wednesday night at PETCO Park. Washington left-hander Matt Chico will square off against San Diego right-hander Clay Hensley. The clubs have won a game apiece.

For Chico, this will be a homecoming. The rookie was raised in San Diego and graduated from Fallbrook High School.

In his last start, Chico gave up two runs in 5 1/3 innings and helped the Nationals defeat the Mets, 4-3, at Robert F. Kennedy Stadium. After walking 12 batters in his previous two starts, Chico walked only one against New York.

Pitching matchup
WAS: LHP Matt Chico (2-2, 5.70 ERA)
Chico has struck out 5.7 batters per nine innings this season.

SD: RHP Clay Hensley (1-3, 7.86)
Hensley has given up seven runs in 8 1/3 innings against the Nationals during his career.

Player to watch
Second baseman Ronnie Belliard is leading the Nationals in hits and is hitting over .300 for the season.

On the Internet
 MLB.TV
 Gameday Audio
•  Gameday
•  Official game notes

On television
• MASN

On radio
• WTWP 1500 AM, 107.7 FM

Up next
• Thursday: Off-day
• Friday: Nationals (RHP Jason Bergmann, 0-2, 2.79) at Cubs (RHP Carlos Zambrano, 2-2, 5.77 ERA), 2:20 p.m. ET
• Saturday: Nationals (RHP John Patterson, 1-4, 6.44) at Cubs (LHP Rich Hill, 3-1, 1.77 ERA), 1:05 p.m. ET