(Sports Network) - Lefty John Lannan can improve on a May 2 outing against Pittsburgh tonight, when the Washington Nationals pull in to PNC Park for the middle test of a three-game series with the host Pirates.

A 23-year-old native of Long Beach, New York, Lannan was raked for six hits and five earned runs in just three innings in the previous matchup in Washington, dropping an 11-4 decision.

The 6-foot-4, 225-pounder is 2-3 in six starts since, including a 4-1 loss to St. Louis in his most recent outing on June 5.

The Nationals are just 4-8 in the 2008 games in which Lannan has appeared.

Pittsburgh right-hander Ian Snell looks for his first win since April 12.

Snell, a 26-year-old former 26th-round draft pick, is 0-6 with four no- decisions in 10 starts since, including losses in four straight decisions since May 21.

He gave up five hits and one earned run in five innings on June 6 against Arizona, but dropped a 3-1 verdict to the Diamondbacks in Pittsburgh.

The Dover, Delaware native lost a 5-2 nod to the Nationals on May 4 at Washington after allowing 10 hits and four runs in six innings.

On Tuesday, Lastings Milledge's two-run homer in the top of the ninth put Washington on top for good, as the Nationals twice came back to top Pittsburgh, 7-6.

Ronnie Belliard finished 3-for-4 with a pair of homers for the Nationals, who hit five homers overall. Dmitri Young and Jesus Flores added solo shots for the Nationals, who had lost four in a row and were coming off a 1-6 homestand.

Tim Redding was shaky early, but gave up four runs on eight hits in six innings of work for Washington, which also opened a nine-game road trip. Joel Hanrahan (2-2) got the win for throwing a perfect two-thirds of an inning, while Jon Rauch nailed down his 13th save of the season.

Ryan Doumit drove the Pirates' offense, going 4-for-4 with two home runs, two doubles and three RBI, but Pittsburgh had a two-game win streak snapped.

Pirates starter Paul Maholm gave up one run through six innings, but surrendered three solo homers in the seventh, and ended up lasting 6 2/3 frames, while allowing the four runs on 10 hits.

Still, Pittsburgh had the lead heading into the ninth inning, where Matt Capps (0-1) surrendered two runs, blowing his first save and earning his first loss.

Washington has won four of five from the Pirates this season.