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(Sports Network) - Delaware-born right-hander Ian Snell will attempt to end a three-start dry spell today when the Pittsburgh Pirates close out a four-game series with the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park.

Snell, a 26th-round draft pick in 2000, was 2-0 with a no-decision after three starts this season, but has gone 0-1 with a pair of no-decisions since, while allowing 22 hits and 11 runs in 16 1/3 innings.

He gave up five hits and four runs in just 4 1/3 innings his last time out, getting a no-decision in the Pirates' 5-4 loss. Pittsburgh is 4-2 in the six games Snell has started in 2008.

He has faced the Nationals five times - three starts - in his career, posting a 3.91 earned run average in 23 innings.

Journeyman right-hander Tim Redding gets the call for Washington with an eye on ending a two-start drought of his own.

He was 3-1 in his first four starts of 2008, but has dropped one and gotten a no-decision in two outings since, allowing eight hits and five runs in 11 innings.

He's made nine of 100 career starts against the Pirates and is 1-2 with a 3.83 ERA in 44 2/3 innings.

On Saturday, Cristian Guzman drove in six runs, including a three-run double in the sixth inning, as Washington Nationals clipped Pittsburgh, 9-8.

Starter Matt Chico gave up five runs -- four earned -- on eight hits in 4 1/3 innings for Washington, which has won five of its last six contests. Jesus Colome (1-1) allowed one hit over 1 2/3 scoreless frames to pick up the win.

Guzman finished 4-for-6 at the plate and scored two runs, while Austin Kearns was 2-for-3 with two walks and a run batted in. Felipe Lopez singled twice and scored three runs.

Paul Maholm (2-3), coming off his third career complete game, struggled on the mound, surrendering seven runs on 10 hits in five-plus innings for the Pirates, who have dropped two of their last three outings.

Jose Bautista and Xavier Nady each had three hits and three RBI. Freddy Sanchez, Jason Bay and Adam LaRoche all had two hits, with Sanchez and Bay each scoring two runs.

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.