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Marlins look to complete sweep of Nationals

Apr 18, 2009 - 11:36 PM By Matt Becker Stats Senior Writer

Florida (10-1) at Washington (1-9), 1:35 p.m. EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Although the Florida Marlins have the major leagues' best record and the Washington Nationals have the worst, their first two meetings in this weekend series have gone extra innings. Once there, the Marlins have shown why they're atop the standings.

After rallying for another come-from-behind victory, red-hot Florida looks to win its seventh in a row and complete a three-game road sweep of the Nationals on Sunday.

Things weren't looking good for the Marlins (10-1) on Saturday after Austin Kearns hit a first-inning grand slam and the Nationals (1-9) led 6-2 after two innings. For the second straight game, though, Florida's Jeremy Hermida provided the heroics.

Hermida hit a two-run homer with two outs in the ninth inning to tie the game at 6, then added a three-run shot in the 11th to give the Marlins a 9-6 victory.

He also won Friday's series opener for Florida with an RBI infield single in the 10th inning.

"During the regular season, I don't know if you can ask for any more fun, not so much today but what we've been able to do the past couple of days and the first 11 games," Hermida said. "It's been a blast. We're just out there having a good time with it and rolling with it as long as we can."

The Marlins, who opened the season with a three-game home sweep of the Nationals, are 19-3 against Washington since the start of last season.

Chris Volstad (2-0, 1.50 ERA) looks to help Florida extend its six-game overall winning streak and beat the Nationals for the second time this season when he takes the ball Sunday.

In his April 8 season debut, Volstad allowed two runs and two hits with a career-high seven strikeouts in five innings of a 6-4 win over Washington.

The right-hander, who went 6-4 with a 2.88 ERA in 15 games last season as a rookie, also got credit for Tuesday's 5-1 victory over Atlanta, allowing one run and three hits in seven innings.

The Nationals got off to a strong start against Marlins starter Josh Johnson on Saturday with six hits through the first two innings, but managed just one more the rest of the game.

"We have to step on their throats," third baseman Ryan Zimmerman said. "Instead of trying to coast. ... We have to have a little bit more attitude."

While Washington had no clutch hitting Saturday, pitching has been the biggest reason for the Nationals' terrible start.

Washington, which recorded its only win Thursday against Philadelphia, has allowed at least eight runs in three of its last five games.

Daniel Cabrera (0-1, 4.91) tries to lead the Nationals to their second win when he makes his second start against Volstad and the Marlins on Sunday.

In the loss to Volstad, Cabrera allowed five runs and seven hits in six innings to fall to 0-2 with a 8.49 ERA in two career starts versus Florida.

The right-hander wasn't much better in his second start of the season, allowing four runs - one earned - and six hits in five innings of a 9-8 loss to Philadelphia on Monday, but did not factor in the decision.