(Sports Network) - After stumbling down the stretch of their six-game road trip, the Washington Nationals will return to their brand-new ballpark tonight for the opener of a three-game series against the Florida Marlins.

Washington began its season with a thrilling 3-2 win over Atlanta at Nationals Park on March 30, breaking in its new stadium with a two-run homer by Ryan Zimmerman in the ninth inning.

The Nationals then carried that momentum into Philadelphia and won two in a row to begin the season 3-0 for the first time since 2003, when the franchise was based out of Montreal. However, the club has since dropped four straight, including the series finale in Philly and a three-game sweep at the hands of the Cardinals in St. Louis.

Washington's offense failed to get its bats going in Sunday's finale in St. Louis. The Nats ended with just five hits in a 3-0 loss, getting a pair of singles from Zimmerman. Nick Johnson, who leads the club with a .304 batting average, finished 0-for-4.

John Lannan (0-1) tossed 6 2/3 solid innings for Washington, allowing two runs on seven hits with four strikeouts and three walks.

Right-hander Tim Redding will take the hill for the Nats tonight after a very successful first start of the season last Wednesday. Redding limited the Phillies to just one hit over seven shutout innings, walking three and fanning two in a 1-0 victory.

The 30-year-old has had success in his career versus Florida, going 3-0 with a 2.00 earned run average in five lifetime starts against the Marlins. He got a no decision in one start against Florida last year and hasn't actually posted a win against the Marlins since May 19, 2004.

Taking the mound for Florida tonight will be Andrew Miller, who was hit hard in his National League debut on Wednesday. Miller, one of six prospects acquired from Detroit in the Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis trade, was tagged with a loss after getting beat up for five runs and eight hits in just 4 1/3 innings. He did strike out six, though.

The 22-year-old left-hander will hope for better luck tonight in his first career start versus Washington.

The Marlins failed in their bid for a three-game sweep of Pittsburgh on Sunday, dropping a 9-2 decision at home. Rick Vanden Hurk (0-1) was rocked for five hits and four runs -- two earned -- in 2 1/3 innings, while fanning four and walking two.

Paul Hoover went 2-for-4 with a run batted in for the Marlins, who had won three of four prior to Sunday's setback.

Wes Helms, acquired by Florida from the Phillies late Saturday in exchange for cash considerations or a player to be named later, made it to the ballpark in the middle of the game. Beginning his second stint with the Marlins, Helms pinch hit and struck out with two men on in the seventh.

Washington went 10-8 against Florida last year, including a 7-2 mark at home, although this will mark the Marlins' first visit to Nationals Park. The Nats have won seven straight over the Marlins as the host.