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Nationals-Marlins Preview

May 1, 2010 - 4:36 AM By JEFF MEZYDLO STATS Senior Writer

Washington (12-10) at Florida (11-11), 7:10 p.m. EDT

After achieving some rare success in April, the Washington Nationals hope to carry over their strong play into May.

The visiting Nationals look to open the new month with a season-high fourth consecutive victory as they try to hand the Florida Marlins a fourth straight loss Saturday night.

Ryan Zimmerman homered twice as Washington (13-10) concluded April with a 7-1 win at Florida on Friday.

The Nationals, who've recorded their first winning month since going 15-12 in September 2007, are off to the club's best mark through 23 games of any season. Washington's last winning April came in 2005, when it finished 13-11.

Washington, 3-1 on a six-game road swing, last won four straight away from home when it swept a four-game series at Atlanta to close out last season.

"We are trying to win each ballgame," manager Jim Riggleman told the Nationals' official website. "Our guys have really stayed focused each day, no matter what's going on. They are just trying to win the game. Hopefully, it will add up and we win another one."

The Nationals have won five of seven, mostly while Zimmerman was relegated to pinch-hitting duties during that stretch because of a hamstring injury. The All-Star third baseman recorded his fifth career multihomer game Friday in his first start since April 21.

"It's nice to come back and contribute and help win," said Zimmerman, who's 14 for 35 with six home runs and 11 RBIs in his last eight games against Florida.

Zimmerman is 4 for 8 with a homer against Marlins scheduled starter Chris Volstad.

After Washington tagged Ricky Nolasco for five runs in four innings during the series opener, the Marlins (11-12) hope Volstad (1-2, 5.79 ERA) can help them end their losing skid and bounce back from his last start.

The right-hander, 1-1 with a 6.48 ERA in four starts against Washington, gave up seven runs in 4 1-3 innings of an 8-4 loss at Colorado on Sunday.

Looking another strong start, Craig Stammen (1-0, 6.75) takes the ball for the Nationals.

After lasting 6 1-3 innings in his first two starts of 2010, Stammen has gone a combined 15 in his last two. He gave up three runs in seven innings of a 4-3, 13-inning loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday.

The right-hander is 0-0 with a 10.29 ERA in two starts versus Florida. In his last outing against the Marlins, Stammen allowed six runs in 1 2-3 innings of a 12-8 home win Aug. 6.

Jorge Cantu had three hits with an RBI on Friday for the Marlins, who've scored six runs and gone 2 for 20 with runners in scoring position during their three-game losing streak.

Despite's Florida's recent offensive struggles, Cantu is 8 for 18 while hitting safely in his last five contests since his 17-game hitting streak was snapped. He's 18 for 45 with 13 RBIs in his last 11 games versus the Nationals.