Nationals-Marlins Preview

STATS Senior Writer Already off to a slow start, the Washington Nationals now have a string of injuries to overcome. The Nationals look to snap a six-game losing streak when they continue their three-game series with the Florida Marlins Saturday at Dolphin Stadium. Washington lost 5-3 to Florida (3-6) on Friday, and has not won since Saturday's 12-8 victory at Houston. The losing streak is the Nationals' longest since dropping six straight from July 24-30 last season.

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Marlins mash way to first home win

In need of a confidence boost, the Marlins turned in an impressive complete game and rolled past the visiting Padres, 9-2, on Thursday afternoon to snap a five-game losing streak.

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Notes: Abercrombie off to slow start

Through seven games, outfielder Reggie Abercrombie has struggled, getting off to a 2-for-17 start (.118 average). His on-base percentage is .211, and in the midst of an 0-for-12 slump, he was held out of the Marlins' starting lineup on Thursday.

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Marlins 5, Orioles 4

Josh Willingham's bid to receive playing time with the Florida Marlins this season has been enhanced by his performance against the Baltimore Orioles. Willingham hit two homers and drove in three runs Monday, leading the Marlins past Baltimore 5-4. Although he has only 28 games of big league experience, Willingham is expected to make the team this season as a catcher and outfielder.

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Florida Marlins Notes, Quotes

--Minor league RHP Craig Molldrem will start Tuesday for the Marlins, according to a team spokesman. LHP Dontrelle Willis will start Wednesday, with the rest of the regular-season rotation following him over the last week of camp. --RHP Nate Bump was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque on Monday, reducing the roster to 31. Manager Joe Girardi said he expects to have his 25-man roster set by Thursday. --C Josh Willingham will miss Fort Lauderdale Stadium.

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Florida Marlins Inside Pitch

Manager Joe Girardi isn't ready to lay out the Marlins' starting rotation beyond Dontrelle Willis, but he said the team could go with three lefties -- Willis, Jason Vargas and Scott Olsen. "We could have two or three lefties in the rotation," Girardi said. "Early on, I'm not going to worry if they're back-to-back. Sometimes you look at matchups. We'll try to spread them out as time goes on.

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Florida Marlins Roster Report

The Marlins saw a lot of surprises this spring -- from a winning Grapefruit League record to an awful offensive performance by RF Jeremy Hermida, who is pegged as a Rookie of the Year candidate. The team was still a work in progress, and many spots won't be known until the final day or two of camp. But SS Hanley Ramirez played well, and Dan Uggla, a rule 5 pick, emerged as the leading contender for 2B. ROTATION: 1. LHP Dontrelle Willis 2.

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Cubs send Todd Wellemeyer to Marlins

Right-hander Todd Wellemeyer was traded from the Chicago Cubs to the Florida Marlins on Tuesday for minor league pitchers Lincoln Holdzkom and Zach McCormack. The 27-year-old Wellemeyer was taken by the Cubs in the fourth round of the 2000 amateur draft. He has pitched in 57 major league games with Chicago over three seasons, mainly in relief, with a 5-3 record and a 6.19 ERA. He is 32-29 with a 4.15 ERA in 106 minor league games. Wellemeyer was 2-1 with a 6.

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Marlins sent Jorgenson to Reds

The Florida Marlins traded catcher Ryan Jorgensen to the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday for infielder Carlos Piste in a swap of minor leaguers. Jorgensen, who was hitless in four at-bats last year after being called up in September, came to the Marlins from the Cubs with Dontrelle Willis on March 27, 2002, in the trade for Matt Clement and Antonio Alfonseca. Florida also acquired right-hander Todd Wellemeyer from the Chicago Cubs for minor league pitchers Lincoln Holdzkom and Zach McCormack.

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Marlins 12, Mets 7

With less than a week to go before opening day, the Florida Marlins haven't sorted out their crowded outfield competition. "It just gets worse every day," manager Joe Girardi said Tuesday, when the Marlins beat the New York Mets 12-7. "They've done what we've asked. Unfortunately we can't take everyone with us." Chris Aguila went 3-for-3 to raise his batting average to .327, Reggie Abercrombie went 1-for-2 with two RBIs (.386) and Eric Reed went 3-for-5 with two RBIs (.327).

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