Nationals face tall order in encounter vs. Janson Junk, Marlins

The Washington Nationals can reach the .500 mark for the first time in over a month when they visit the Miami Marlins on Saturday.

The Nationals took the opener of the series 3-2 on Friday night, improving to 13-7 on the road in the process. The Marlins, meanwhile have dropped five of six to fall to 2-6 on their 10-game homestand.

Washington's Zack Littell (1-4, 7.24 ERA) opposes fellow right-hander Janson Junk (2-3, 2.82) in the middle contest of the three-game series.

Junk looks to continue an impressive string of starts.

Over his last three outings, Junk has given up one run on nine hits in 16 1/3 innings.

On May 4 he lost to the Philadelphia Phillies 1-0. Junk gave up one run on five hits -- including a solo home run by Bryce Harper -- over 5 1/3 innings. He also struck out six without a walk.

"Overall, I thought it was solid," Junk said. "I left the game in a good spot and a chance to score some runs. (Relief pitcher John) King coming in and getting out of the inning for me was big time. Just unfortunate we couldn't come away with it."

Junk is 1-1 with a 5.40 ERA in two games (one start) versus Washington.

Littell will either start for Washington or work behind an opener as he did last time out. That strategy paid off.

After allowing 18 earned runs in 13 2/3 innings while losing three starts, Littell picked up his first win when he came on in the third and pitched 3 2/3 innings against the Milwaukee Brewers last Sunday. He gave one run on one hit.

"The goal is to go out there and continue to build on the good things that are coming out of the starts," Littell said. "Felt like we did that."

Littell is 2-0 with 0.96 ERA in three games (one start) versus Miami.

Late arrivals to Friday night's game missed a bunch, as every run in the contest was scored in the opening frame. Washington received an RBI single from CJ Abrams and a two-run homer from Jacob Young.

"Every day you go to the field, your swing is a little different," Young said in a post-game on-field interview. "Just being able to adjust to that and understand that there is production in there and just finding different ways to get it out. When it happens on big swings like that, it definitely makes it all worth it."

Curtis Mead reached base three times on a single and two walks for Washington.

Foster Griffin pitched seven strong innings and Nationals relievers closed it out, with PJ Poulin stranding two runners on base in the ninth.

Xavier Edwards homered in the first and Otto Lopez had three hits and scored a run for the Marlins.

"It was good to see us answer," Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said of the early rally. "Unfortunately, we weren't able to really mount much until really late."

Lopez has an 11-game hitting streak and Edwards has hit safely in nine of his last 10 games.

--Field Level Media