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Marlins try to build off dramatic wins

Jul 1, 2008 - 2:23 PM Washington (33-51) at Florida (43-39), 7:10 pm EDT

MIAMI (Ticker) -- The Florida Marlins have had a flare for the dramatic lately.

The Marlins look to build off a pair of walk-off victories when they host the Washington Nationals on Tuesday for the middle contest of a three-game series.

Josh Willingham hit a walk-off homer to lead off the 10th inning - his second home run of the night and eighth of the season - as Florida recorded its second walk-off win in as many games with a 6-5 triumph over Washington on Monday.

Nationals closer Jon Rauch, who gave up two home runs all season entering the game, was tagged for a pair of homers over one-plus inning. He also surrendered a game-tying solo blast in the ninth to Hanley Ramirez, who did the same during Sunday's 4-3 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Collin Balester (NR) will try to stop that momentum when he makes his major league debut for Washington, which has lost nine of its previous 13 contests.

The 22-year-old Balester was drafted in the fourth round of the 2004 draft out of high school and progressed steadily up the minor league ranks ever since, beginning the current campaign at Class AAA Columbus after splitting last season between Class AA Harrisburg and the Clippers.

The 6-5 righthander is 9-3 with a 4.00 ERA in the International League this season, including a 4-0 mark with a 2.82 ERA in four outings this month.

The Marlins will counter with lefthander Mark Hendrickson, who lost his last four decisions.