has never lost to Washington in his career. If his start onopening day is any indication, the Nationals could be in line for another longouting.

Looking to continue his mastery of visiting Washington, Johnson takes themound for the Florida Marlins as they try for a three-game sweep Thursday night.

Tue, Apr 5 - Final 10th Wed, Apr 6 - Final Thu, Apr 7 - Final 11th

Johnson (1-0, 2.70 ERA), who led the National League with a 2.30 ERA in2010, carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning Friday in a 6-2 victory overthe New York Mets.

Johnson, who was shut down towards the end of last season with backdiscomfort, allowed two runs, three hits, walked two and struck out three in 62-3 innings.

He was pretty good, Mets manager Terry Collins said. When we got behind,hes pretty tough to catch up against. You dont get that many good pitches tohit.

Johnson went 7-3 with a 1.57 ERA and struck out 127 in 103 1-3 innings over15 starts last season at Sun Life Stadium, where Washington has lost 19 of 24.The right-hander has gone 7-0 with a 3.36 ERA in 13 career starts against theNationals (1-4) while limiting them to a .221 batting average.

Washington, which is 6 for 43 (.139) with runners in scoring position, wasjust 2 for 10 in those situations Wednesday. Despite taking a four-run lead intothe fifth inning, the Nationals fell 7-4 for their third straight loss.

We just have to keep putting them out there and finish it off, saidmanager Jim Riggleman, whose teams ranks last in the NL with 14 runs scored.With the energy and attitude on the bench, it pains them to have that happenthe last couple nights.

Shortstop was hitless in 13 at-bats before going 4 for 5.Desmond, who had two doubles and two RBIs, is hitting .338 against Florida(3-2).

Marlins outfielder went 4 for 5 with three doubles and catcherwent 2 for 4 including a bases-loaded triple.

Floridas bullpen, which finished with a 3.98 ERA last season, has compiled1.77 ERA over 16 2-3 innings in 2011 - including 8 1-3 scoreless frames againstWashington.

Obviously the season is 162 games, but thats what we expect to do, saidreliever (1-0, 1.80) looks to build off his first win of theseason, when he limited Atlanta to one run and five hits in five innings ofSaturdays 6-3 victory.

The left-hander, who went 8-8 with a 4.65 ERA in 2010, was 6-3 with a 4.46ERA in 12 road starts.

Lannan, now in his fifth season in the majors, has never opened 2-0 and is2-3 with a 5.34 ERA lifetime against Florida.

Marlins shortstop is off to a slow start, hitting .190through five games. Ramirez, though, is 7 for 15 lifetime against Lannan.

Second-year outfielder who hit .381 with five home runs in 42at-bats against Washington in 2010, missed his third game with a strained lefthamstring and likely will not play until Friday at Houston.