(Best E Casino) - Right-hander Josh Johnson will try to continue a successful return from a long-term injury tonight, when the Florida Marlins take on Washington in the middle test of a three-game series at Nationals Park.

Johnson, 24, reached the majors and made four appearances in 2005, then was a full-timer in 2006 with 31 appearances and 24 starts, winning 12 games. He was dogged by arm problems in 2007, however, and was limited to just four appearances before finally returning to the Marlins on July 10 in Los Angeles.

He has won six of seven decisions and posted a 3.65 earned run average over 81 1/3 innings while allowing 85 hits and striking out 76 batters.

The Marlins are 10-3 in games in which Johnson has appeared.

For the Nationals, journeyman right-hander Tim Redding tries to finish strongly after a sub-par final two months.

The native of Rochester, NY is 3-5 in his last 10 starts, including losses to the Marlins and New York Mets in his last two outings on September 13 and 18.

In those two losses, Redding has given up 12 hits and eight earned runs in nine innings. He is 4-3 in 10 career starts against Washington with a 4.05 ERA in 53 1/3 innings of work.

On Tuesday, Ryan Zimmerman belted a two-run homer to lead the Nationals to a 9-4 win.

The Florida loss combined with a victory by the Mets earlier Tuesday officially eliminated the Marlins from playoff contention.

Alberto Gonzalez registered four hits, three runs scored and two RBI for the Nationals, who halted a five-game skid. Lastings Milledge drove in three runs while Anderson Hernandez added a pair of RBI in the victory.

Shairon Martis (1-3) earned his first career victory with 5 1/3 innings of five-hit, three-run ball and five strikeouts.

Josh Willingham hit a solo home run for Florida, which has now dropped four straight after a season-high nine-game win streak. Mike Jacobs notched two hits and an RBI in the loss.

Scott Olsen (8-11) suffered the loss after he allowed four runs -- three earned -- on eight hits over five innings.

Florida has won 13 of its 16 meetings with the Nationals this season.