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(Sports Network) - Second-year left-hander Matt Chico makes his seventh attempt at a first win of 2008 today when the Washington Nationals host the Pittsburgh Pirates in the third of a four-game series at Nationals Park.

Chico, who reached the majors and was 7-9 in 31 starts with the Nationals last season, got a no-decision in his first outing this year, but is 0-5 since and has allowed at least four runs in all but one of those five outings.

He was tagged for eight hits and five runs over four innings his last time out, dropping a 7-0 decision to the Chicago Cubs on April 26.

Chico has made two starts against the Pirates in his career, allowing 10 hits and two runs in 13 innings.

Lefty Paul Maholm seeks a third straight win for Pittsburgh.

The Mississippi native was 0-2 with a no-decision in his initial three starts, but has rebounded for two straight victories since, defeating Florida and Philadelphia on April 22 and 27, respectively.

In the two wins, he's given up just six hits and two runs in 15 innings.

Maholm is 0-1 in two lifetime starts against Milwaukee.

On Friday, Jose Bautista ripped a pair of home runs and finished with four runs batted in, and Pittsburgh blasted Washington, 11-4. Ryan Doumit finished 3-for-5 with two RBI, while Nate McLouth, Jason Bay, and Chris Gomez each had a pair of hits for the Pirates, who have won two of three.

Starter Phil Dumatrait only lasted four innings after giving up four runs on six hits, but four Pittsburgh relievers combined to throw five scoreless innings the rest of the way. Damaso Marte (2-0) threw two perfect innings in relief to pick up the win.

Nationals starter John Lannan (2-3) had a scoreless streak of 21 innings come to an end, and he finished the night after just three innings of work, in which he threw 85 pitches and allowed six runs -- five earned -- on six hits and two walks.

Felipe Lopez went 2-for-4 with a double and RBI, while Wil Nieves hit a two- RBI double for Washington, which had a four-game win streak snapped. Catcher Paul Lo Duca was reinstated from the 15-day disabled list earlier Friday, and singled in a pinch-hit appearance.

Pittsburgh went 4-2 against the Nationals last season, with a 2-1 mark at RFK Stadium. The 2006 season series was tied at three games apiece.