• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers
• Game Tracker

Marlins close series in D.C.

May 15, 2011 - 2:47 PM (Sports Network) - Javier Vazquez aims to help the Marlins put the finishing touches on a three-game sweep against the Nationals when he takes the mound this afternoon.

Coming off a pair of rough outings, the veteran right-hander will try to keep his perfect road record intact. He's 2-0 in four starts outside Miami this season. although his ERA is a big 5.96 in road games.

Vazquez surrendered nine hits and six runs -- five earned -- over 4 1/3 innings in his last start, a loss against Philadelphia on Monday. He's 1-1 with a 3.27 ERA in three career starts vs. Washington.

The Nationals counter with Jason Marquis, who has allowed three runs or less in all of his appearances this season except for one. He yielded three runs over 7 1/3 frames against the Braves on Tuesday, a victory at Turner Field.

He's 5-6 with a 6.36 ERA in 21 games (14 starts) lifetime against the Marlins. Marquis' first start of the 2011 campaign came in Miami on April 5, when he was charged with six hits and a pair of runs in 6 1/3 innings of a no- decision.

The Marlins have been on a roll when playing in the nation's capital. They've won eight in row in Washington.

On Saturday, Anibal Sanchez threw eight innings of shutout ball as the Marlins took a 1-0 win. Sanchez (3-1) improved to 7-0 in 16 starts against the Nationals as he gave up just three hits with two walks and nine strikeouts.

"I just approach every game the same and try to get ahead in the count," said Sanchez. "My curveball wasn't as good as it was the last time, but my other pitches were working."

Mike Stanton's home run in the seventh helped the Marlins win for a third time in the past four games.

Livan Hernandez (3-5) took the tough-luck loss as he gave up just the home run and six hits over seven innings for the Nationals, who have dropped three straight. Laynce Nix had two of Washington's four hits.

"You'd be surprised at the energy level and confidence level we have in our dugout," said Washington manager Jim Riggleman. "They know they're working hard out there and that it will turn around."

Florida is 21-7 all time at Nationals Park. The Marlins' eight-game run in Washington is the second-longest active road winning streak in the NL vs. one team. The Phillies have won 11 straight in San Diego.