Zimmermann tries to stretch unbeaten streak in San Diego

(SportsNetwork.com) - Jordan Zimmermann tries to stretch his unbeaten streak to five straight starts on Friday night when the Washington Nationals try to even a four-game set with the San Diego Padres.

Zimmermann has just one victory over this stretch, but hasn't allowed more than three earned runs in any of the four outings while logging at least six innings each time.

He picked up his second no-decision in a row on Sunday in his club's 5-4 win over the Atlanta Braves. He was charged with three runs on eight hits and three walks over six frames, moving to 2-2 with a 4.20 earned run average on the year.

"I just stay with the same plan I always use," said Zimmermann. "I've found that if you panic and try changing your approach, it usually backfires on you so I've just been staying the course."

The right-hander has not lost since April 18 and is 2-2 in seven career starts versus the Padres with a 1.90 ERA.

The struggling Odrisamer Despaigne will make his first start since May 7 tonight for the Padres.

Despaigne hasn't pitched in over a week as an off day on Monday allowed the Padres to skip his last start. The righty was hammered for eight runs and 10 hits over five innings in his last start, an 11-0 loss at Arizona that dropped him to 2-1 on the season with a 5.13 ERA in seven games, including three starts.

Despaigne has never faced the Nationals before and will be looking to record his first win since April 20.

The Padres powered their way to an 8-3 victory last night, with Derek Norris homering, connecting on a triple and driving in five runs. Cory Spangenberg added two homers to San Diego's second straight win.

Tyson Ross got the win after going five-plus innings and allowing two runs on five hits and three walks while striking out six. Ross struck out Denard Span for the first out of the game, then the rains came and delayed the contest for nearly two hours.

Doug Fister (2-2) was charged with seven runs in two innings for Washington, which lost for only the second time in eight games.

Wilson Ramos went 1-for-3 to extend his hitting streak to 16 games and also drove in two runs in defeat.

The Nationals have won seven of their past 11 against the Padres.