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While the San Francisco Giants ' need for bullpen help is becoming more apparent as the trade deadline approaches, the Washington Nationals ' stance on Alfonso Soriano 's future with the team remains vague. After blowing a lead in the ninth inning of an extra-inning loss in their last outing, the Giants (51-48] open a three-game series with Soriano and the Nationals (43-56) at RFK Stadium on Tuesday. San Francisco had a chance to sweep a four-game set with San Diego and take a 1 1/2-game lead over the Padres in the NL West, but lost 6-5 in 12 innings in the series' finale on Sunday. Giants closer Armando Benitez allowed a game-tying solo home run in the ninth inning and rookie Brian Wilson surrendered the winning run as San Francisco had its season-high five-game win streak snapped. After acquiring first baseman Shea Hillenbrand from Toronto on Friday, general manager Brian Sabean has said that relief pitching will likely be the next area San Francisco will focus on - and the Giants seem willing to part with young pitching. ''We have plenty of young arms in our system,'' Giants manager Felipe Alou said. ''The Giants have pitchers to trade.'' Matt Morris (8-7, 4.42 ERA) will start Tuesday as San Francisco begins its first road series following the All-Star break. Morris is 5-0 with a 3.30 ERA in his last seven starts since a 3-2 loss to Pittsburgh on June 9. The right-hander, though, is coming off his worst outing in that span. He allowed six runs and seven hits, including three homers, in seven innings of San Francisco's 7-6 win over Milwaukee last Wednesday. Washington enters this contest coming off its first home sweep in more than a year as Soriano and Ryan Church homered to lead the Nationals to a 7-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Sunday. Soriano's homer was his 31st of the season, and it gave him six extra-base hits in the past two games: a homer, a triple and four doubles. It's uncertain, though, how much longer Soriano will be helping Washington. The five-time All-Star would like to remain with the Nationals, but said after Sunday's game he doesn't think he'll sign a new deal with them before the July 31 trade deadline. Soriano, who has homered in five straight series, spoke with incoming team president Stan Kasten on Thursday but they didn't discuss contract details. ''We love Alfonso, we love what he does - lots of people do,'' Kasten said. ''Let's face it: He's a potential MVP candidate. It goes without saying that he's a superior player. But, you know, our No. 1 mission is getting to be the best team we can as soon as possible.'' Ramon Ortiz (6-9, 4.73 ERA) will be looking to lead Washington to a fourth straight win and end a personal skid when he takes the mound Tuesday. The right-hander has lost three straight starts and is 1-5 with a 4.57 ERA in seven outings since winning five consecutive starts from May 18-June 7. Ortiz earned a victory in his only career start against the Giants, giving up two runs over 7 2-3 innings while pitching for Cincinnati last Aug. 18. This is the first meeting between San Francisco and Washington this season. They split their six contests in 2005, with each team winning two of three on the road.
Boring (Barry) BondsMoron (Marian) Boring (Barry)Apologies if I spelled Moron's name wrong
Felipe with a single moving Soriano over to third. Zimmerman stepping up!
