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Nationals-Marlins Preview

Jun 30, 2009 - 4:19 AM By MATT BEARDMORE STATS Writer

Washington (22-51) at Florida (38-39), 7:10 p.m. EDT

Back at .500 following Monday's victory, the Florida Marlins have been anything but average against the Washington Nationals lately.

The Marlins look for their ninth consecutive victory over the Nationals and 10th straight home series win against them on Tuesday night when they continue a three-game set at Land Shark Stadium.

Florida (39-39) defeated Washington 4-2 on Monday, snapping a three-game slide behind a solid outing from Ricky Nolasco. The right-hander gave up two runs and four hits over eight innings, winning his third consecutive start.

"It just feels good to have that feeling," Nolasco said after setting down the final 13 Nationals he faced. "I'm just trying to be consistent. That's the main goal."

Since Sept. 11, 2007, Florida is 23-3 versus Washington. The Marlins have not lost a series to the Nationals at home since dropping two of three from April 14-16, 2006.

Hanley Ramirez needs to drive in a run Tuesday to set a franchise record with an RBI in nine consecutive contests. The Marlins shortstop - a lifetime .362 hitter at home versus the Nationals - is batting .424 (14 for 33) with four homers and 18 RBIs during this stretch.

Marlins rookie Sean West (3-2, 3.38 ERA) looks for his fourth win in five starts as he faces the Nationals for the first time. With Florida scoring five runs in the first three innings, the 23-year-old left-hander had more than enough cushion in Thursday's 11-3 win over Baltimore. West scattered four hits and three walks in six scoreless innings.

"It's very easy to pitch with a lead like that," he said. "The run support was great. Pitching and defense are key to a win and when you have all three going, it's unbeatable."

West has allowed two or fewer runs in three of five home starts.

Rookie Craig Stammen (1-3, 5.49) takes the mound as Washington (22-52) goes for its first win over Florida since a 9-4 victory last Sept. 23. After winning his first major league game June 18 at Yankee Stadium, the 25-year-old right hander surrendered six runs and seven hits over 5 1-3 innings in Wednesday's 6-4 loss to Boston.

Stammen's no-hit bid ended when Dustin Pedroia doubled to lead off the fourth before Red Sox first baseman David Ortiz slugged a three-run homer later in the inning.

"That was a pretty big mental mistake," Stammen said of his 3-2 changeup. "I have to be able to shake that pitch off and throw what I wanted to throw."

This is Stammen's first appearance against Florida.

Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman's homer in the second inning was his first in 14 games. He is batting only .167 (3 for 18) in four games in Miami this season.

Washington, which has a major league-worst 9-27 road record, has dropped 16 of 20 away from Nationals Ballpark.

The Nationals have not won in Miami since a 9-6 victory last July 1.