Florida @ Washington preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 11, 2010 ) Florida 9, Washington 5

If anyone doubted the Florida Marlins' ability on the road, a quick look at their record at Nationals Park might lead some to reconsider.

The Marlins try to complete a sweep in the nation's capital tonight when they take on the Washington Nationals in the finale of their three-game series.

Entering the set with a 25-26 record away from home, Florida has used a potent offensive attack to become the only team in the National League East to boast a mark of .500 or better on the road this season. The Marlins have scored 17 runs on 24 hits in the first two games against the Nationals, giving them a 2-0 record on their 10-game road trip and five wins in their last six contests away from Florida.

Rookie Mike Stanton went 5-for-5 Wednesday, falling a triple shy of the cycle with a home run and four RBIs as Florida posted a 9-5 triumph. Logan Morrison collected three hits and scored three times, Donnie Murphy drove in a pair of runs and Hanley Ramirez also homered for the Marlins, who have won three in a row.

They attempt to make it four straight behind Ricky Nolasco, who is 7-2 in his last nine starts. One of those two losses came against Washington.

Nolasco struggled against St. Louis last Friday, allowing seven runs and 10 hits over five innings in a 7-0 loss.

Nolasco will be facing the Nationals for the third time this season. The 27-year old went 0-2 with an 8.68 ERA in the first two meetings, both in Florida.

In 13 career games against Washington, including two relief appearances, Nolasco is 7-3 with a 4.57 ERA. Ryan Zimmerman owns a .296 average (8-for-27) against the right-hander with three home runs and five RBIs, while Adam Dunn is 5-for-19 (.263) with one homer and five RBIs.

Nolasco is 8-2 with a 3.86 ERA in 12 starts on the road this year.

The Nationals, who have lost four in a row and six of eight, counter with former Marlin Livan Hernandez, who has won two of his last three decisions. The veteran right-hander yielded two runs, one earned, and five hits in seven innings last Saturday but did not figure in the decision of a 3-2 loss at Los Angeles.

Hernandez is 0-1 with a 1.38 ERA in two outings against Florida in 2010, allowing just two earned runs over 13 innings. The 35-year old gave up just two runs and four hits in six frames against the Marlins on July 17 but suffered the loss in a 2-0 setback.

Hernandez is 13-9 with a 3.46 ERA in 30 career starts against Florida. Ramirez has had the most success of any Marlin against Hernandez, batting .318 (7-for-22) with three homers and five RBIs.

Hernandez will be making his 13th start at home this season. He is 4-3 with a 2.77 ERA thus far at Nationals Stadium.