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Nationals look to take final series against Marlins

Sep 10, 2007 - 2:10 PM Washington (64-79) at Florida (61-82) 7:05 pm EDT

MIAMI (Ticker) -- The Washington Nationals have exceeded many expectations this season. On Monday, they look to continue their surprising solid play as they begin their final series - a three-game set - of the season with the Florida Marlins.

Washington, a team that many expected to be a sure-fire 100-loss team, has won nine of 15 contests from Florida this season. That record against the Marlins has helped them stay out of the basement in the National League East, a spot Florida currently occupies.

The Nationals turn to Shawn Hill (3-3, 2.98 ERA), who hopes to get his first win since May 11 - a span of five starts that was interrupted by a long stint on the disabled list. Hill opposed Florida in his last start on Tuesday, allowing three runs and a season-high 11 hits over 6 1/3 innings in a no-decision of a 4-3 win.

The righthander has made all four of his career starts against the Marlins this season, going 1-1 with a 2.82 ERA.

Hill's counterpart on the mound will be Scott Olsen (9-12, 5.76), who is looking to halt a personal five-game winless skid.

Olsen is 0-3 with a 7.43 ERA in five starts since beating Houston on August 5. The lefthander will be pitching for the first time since recording a no-decision on September 2 in a 7-6 win over Philadelphia in which he surrendered five runs and seven hits in 3 1/3 innings. Olsen is 3-2 with a 3.99 ERA in seven starts against the Nationals over his career.