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Jason Marquis versus Anibal Sanchez in Game 1. Marquis is a big key for the Nats this year in their quest to have even average starting pitching. He looked fairly solid in the Spring, but we'll see.

Marlins have owned the Nats the last three years, going 39-14. Sanchez has also owned the Nats, 5-0 lifetime against them with a 1.05 ERA last year.

Winning this first game would be extremely helpful...

hmm doesn't say that this game is being shown on mlb extra innings on my tv guide..dammnit

Goes 10, Nats lose 3-2. Marquis pitches well, but the Nats can't score a run past the third, although they do pretty well against Sanchez.

Fish pen shuts out the Nats for 4.1 IP. Nats introduce Jerry Hairston at second and Alex Cora at short, although both Espinosa and Desmond get into the game later.

Tough loss in a game that would have been very nice to get.

Riggleman is already flip-flopping on whether he'll leave Desmond in the leadoff spot. Desmond has shown no ability to work the count or get on base, but he's started three games and certainly deserves time.

Yesterday he said he would bat Espinosa first, then he changed his mind today.

Livan against Chris Volstad tonight.

So only a great stab by Hanley Ramirez prevents Ian Desmond from going 4-4 to start the game.

Through half of six, tie game at four. Nats went up 4-0 early, but Livan gave it all back in the fifth. Chad Gaudin in now, let's hope he pitches better than he has...

6-4 Marlins after six. Mix in a Desmond error with another horrible outing by Gaudin and voila! Marlins lead!

With Josh Johnson going Thursday, you have to think the Nats get swept without a win tonight.

Nats already down 2-0 in the series finale. Wilson Ramos is batting five for some reason, I guess because Laynce Nix is in left batting eighth.

There was some indication Ramos might bat up in the lineup occasionally, but I thought that would be versus lefties.

Not sure you can rationalize batting Werth second considering that, but oh well...

Looks like the Marlins' sweep is imminent, which would make the Nats' winning percentage .250 the last 42 games against them.

Well, the Nats still in it--tied at three after six.

Lannan settled down after giving up two in the first. Got into trouble in the sixth but was let down by poor defense by Ankiel as well. Clippard came in and limited the damage.

Josh Johnson was flawless the first time through the lineup, but the Nats were able to get him a little after that, and he's out now. Jayson Werth had his first homer as a Nat, an opposite field shot that just cleared the fence.

Sloppy game with two credited errors to each side, and the scorer has been lenient.