--1B Dmitri Young returned to the lineup after missing more than a month with a sprained lower back, going 1-for-4. Young will likely be the designated hitter through the team's weekend series with the Orioles but said he's ready to play first base after that.

--RF Austin Kearns, who is batting .192, got the night off to work on mechanical changes in his swing. Manager Manny Acta said Kearns, who went 1-for-16 in a four-game series with the Mets, is "getting his hands back a little bit too late," costing him time to react to pitches.

--1B Nick Johnson said the torn tendon sheath in his right wrist should heal without surgery or other treatment and doesn't anticipate missing any more than the four to six weeks he is expected to be out. Johnson is in his eighth major league season and has spent time on the disabled list in each one.

--OF Elijah Dukes got his first RBI as a member of the Nationals on a fourth-inning sacrifice fly but continued to struggle at the plate. Dukes went 0-for-3, striking out twice and grounding into a double play. Since coming back from a strained right hamstring on May 9, Dukes is 1-for-19 with eight strikeouts and has walked only twice.

--3B Ryan Zimmerman, who homered in consecutive games against the Mets this week, stayed hot with a 3-for-5, 2-RBI night.

BY THE NUMBERS
1-8 -- Washington's record against the Marlins this season. The team is 14-15 against all of its other opponents.

QUOTE TO NOTE
"I could point out 50 different things why I can be positive about (the season so far). Last year, when we had 25 losses, we only had nine wins. We haven't even lost 25 yet and we've got 15 wins. I have different things where I can point positive stuff at it." -- Manager Manny Acta, on the Nationals' early struggles.

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