Marlins try to regroup in DC

(SportsNetwork.com) - The Miami Marlins will try to regroup, as they square off with the Washington Nationals in the second of a three-game set at Nationals Park

Miami's offense was impressive through the first seven games of the season, batting .294 while averaging six runs per outing. However, the Nationals held the Marlins scoreless en route to a 5-0 win in the series opener on Tuesday with Gio Gonzalez and four relievers limiting the visitors to just four hits.

Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton had a seven-game streak with at least one RBI end in the loss. Last year, the Marlins were blanked four times and went 1-9 at Nationals Park.

"For whatever reason, these guys have some good pitchers, but we've got to find some ways to score some runs," Miami manager Mike Redmond said. "We had a couple of opportunities. We just didn't get a big hit. But I've said that a lot over the last couple of years."

Anthony Rendon led Washington on Tuesday with two hits and three RBI, while Adam LaRoche went 3-for-3 with one driven in and a pair of runs scored. Rendon was filling in at third base for the injured Ryan Zimmerman, who missed his second straight game due to shoulder inflammation.

"We don't want Ryan down, but if something like this happens and he has to be out a couple of days, we not only have Anthony, but we have Danny Espinosa, who can play Gold Glove defense up the middle," Nationals manager Matt Williams said. "That's one of the reasons both of them are on our team."

Rendon has hit safely in all seven of the Nationals' games this season and has accumulated eight RBI over that stretch.

Jacob Turner was slated to start for Miami on Wednesday, but was scratched due to a right shoulder injury he encountered while in the batting cages. Brad Hand will get his first starting nod of the campaign in Turner's place. Hand has allowed only one hit and struck out three in five innings of relief work this season.

Wednesday will mark the 16th start of his career.

Zimmerman is 5-for-6 with four doubles in his career versus Hand, who owns an 8.74 ERA in three starts against the Nationals.

Washington will counter with Jordan Zimmermann, who pitched five solid innings in a no-decision versus Atlanta in his season debut. Zimmermann allowed just a single run on four hits and fanned nine Braves after missing his first scheduled start due to illness.

Washington has won 10 of its last 11 games against the Marlins at home.