RHP Jamison Taillon looks for his first victory against St. Louis this season when the Pirates open a four-game series with the Cardinals Thursday at PNC Park. Taillon is 0-1 with a 4.91 ERA in two 2017 appearances against the Red Birds but has recorded quality starts in his last two outings, holding opponents to four runs over 12 1/3 innings.

1B Josh Bell had three hits Wednesday, including his team-leading sixth triple of the season, and drove in a pair of runs. Bell has multiple hits in five of his last seven gams and has a .474 average (9-for-19) during that stretch.

RHP Gerrit Cole saw his seven-start road winning streak snapped at seven games after taking no decision Wednesday at Milwaukee. Cole allowed four runs on five hits including three home runs while striking out nine. He's 8-4 with a 4.10 ERA away from PNC Park this season.

OF Ben Revere got the start in left field on Wednesday as OF Cameron Maybin did not start. "Ben has been playing well," said Mike Scioscia, the Angels manager. Revere was 0-for-4 and is hitting .247.

RHP Huston Street (rotator cuff) has not yet started to throw, manager Mike Scioscia told reporters Wednesday. He has pitched in just four games this year.

DH/1B Albert Pujols, after starting at first for just the sixth time this year on Tuesday, was not in the starting lineup in the day game Wednesday. He did not play in the second game of the series in Washington.

OF Mike Trout, in his first series in Washington since 2014, was 1-for-4 Wednesday. He also had one hit Tuesday as a showdown with OF Bryce Harper did not take place as Harper went on the DL on Sunday.

RHP Andrew Bailey pitched for the first time since April 9 when he threw Tuesday in the eighth inning in Washington. He came back from right shoulder inflammation. "Any time you do something you haven't done something in a while, you're going to be a little anxious," Bailey told MLB.com. "I was excited to get back out there. These boys have been grinding all year long. I just want to fit in wherever I can. For me to get back out there today was a big step for me personally." Bailey is from New Jersey and pitched in college at Wagner before he was drafted in the sixth round by the Oakland A's in 2006.

RHP Ricky Nolasco allowed his league-high 31st homer in the first inning Wednesday to Ryan Zimmerman of the Nationals. It was the fourth homer for Zimmerman against the Angels veteran. The right-hander entered Wednesday with a 5.24 ERA, had allowed five earned runs in each of his last two starts and hadn't won on the road in nearly two months. But Nolasco got credit for the win as he survived cramps in his calves on a humid day in the nation's capital as the Angels defeated the first-place Washington Nationals 3-2. His victory gave the Angels seven wins in eight games going into a series Friday in Baltimore against another team with Wild Card aspirations. "Every five days I give the team everything I have," said the serious-minded Nolasco, 34, standing by his locker. "It takes 25 guys to do what we have to do. We have to keep it going." The starter is 2-0 in his last four starts while allowing 13 runs.

INF Yunel Escobar (strained oblique) has been taking some dry swings and doing some exercises, manager Mike Scioscia said Wednesday. The former Washington player has been on the DL since August 8 and has missed eight games.

LHP Andrew Heaney (left elbow UCL injury) made his third rehab start for Triple-A Salt Lake on Saturday and is now slated to start Friday in Baltimore. It will be his first MLB game of the year. He is 1-1 with a 3.12 ERA in three starts for Salt Lake. He has missed the first 121 games of the season for the Angels. "We are excited to have Andrew back," manager Mike Scioscia told reporters Wednesday. "It is a remarkable recovery he went through with his rehab. It was so seamless; he feels terrific. You pay close attention to how he is feeling and how he is throwing. We are excited to give him the ball." Would the Angels manager like an extra arm in the bullpen? "I think the whole year we would have felt better" with an extra arm. "We can look at a lot of different roster options" as rosters expand Sept. 1, he said.

RHP Ryan Madson has a problem with his finger, according to manager Dusty Baker. "It's not a blister," Baker told reporters Wednesday. "I thought it was a blister. It's his finger. We are getting it analyzed right now. I don't know what it is, but it's something in his finger." He did not pitch Wednesday.

LF Jayson Werth (left foot contusion), who took batting practice at Nationals Park this week, will report to West Palm Beach, Florida, while the Nationals take a road trip to San Diego and Houston, according to manager Dusty Baker.

2B Wilmer Difo has opened eyes with his play this season on both sides of the ball. Many considered him to be at best a utility player but he has played on a regular basis since the injury to starting SS Trea Turner in late June. Difo has split time in the minors and majors the past three seasons. "He has done a great job," said Mark Scialabba, the director of player development for Washington. Difo has been solid in the field and has a career-high 11 game hitting streak after getting two hits Wednesday.

INF Stephen Drew (left abdominal muscle) took groundballs for the first time Tuesday since straining his abdominal muscle last month, according to The Washington Post. Drew, hitting .253 in 46 games, and has missed 20 games since going on the disabled list July 29.

LHP Enny Romero (left forearm strain) hopes to begin a rehab assignment soon after he threw a bullpen session on Sunday, according to The Washington Post. He has missed 12 games since going on the disabled list August 4. He has pitched in 45 games out of the bullpen and has a 3.99 ERA.

OF Alejandro de Aza was called up from Triple-A Syracuse as OF Brian Goodwin went on the 10-day disabled list Wednesday. A veteran of nine big league seasons, he hit .280 in 56 games with Syracuse. It is his first stint with Washington, which is his sixth big league team. He was retired as a pinch-hitter Wednesday.

OF Brian Goodwin (left groin strain) went on the 10-day disabled list Wednesday after he left a game Sunday. He is hitting .251 with 21 doubles and 13 homers this year for Washington. The starting outfielders for Opening Day are now on the disabled list: CF Adam Eaton, LF Jayson Werth and RF Bryce Harper. Goodwin left a game Sunday and did not play Tuesday or Wednesday against the Angels. Washington begin a series at San Diego on Thursday. Manager Dusty Baker told reporters that Goodwin was injured during a slide.

RHP Michael Blazek was outrighted to Triple-A Colorado Springs on Wednesday. The reliever was designated for assignment by the Brewers on Sunday, and after passing through waivers, will remain with Colorado Springs. Blazek has a 8.31 ERA and 1.50 WHIP over 8 2/3 innings this season with the Brewers.

C Francisco Cervelli sat out again Wednesday as tries to get past a sore left wrist but could return to the lineup Thursday when the Pirates open a four-game series against the Cardinals in Pittsburgh. Cervelli has appeared in 80 games this season, batting .249 with five home runs and 31 RBIs.