Leadoff hitter Cody Ross will start Saturday because the Nationals are throwing left-hander Mike O'Connor and Ross always starts against left-handed pitchers.

But Ross started Friday and went 1-for-3 against right-hander Tim Redding. Manager Fredi Gonzalez said he wants to try to give Ross more action this weekend because Alfredo Amezaga might get most of the starts next week in Cincinnati. The Reds plan to throw four right-handers.

"We'll give Alfredo a little breather (Friday and Saturday), plus we need to get Cody going a little bit," Gonzalez said. "I hate for him just to be sitting around waiting for lefties."

Ross has three hits in his last 22 at-bats since April 22. Amezaga is five for 34 in his last 10 games.

MARLINS 7, NATIONALS 3: The Marlins are on such a roll that even Ricky Nolasco's getting in on the action. The Marlins' winning streak reached a season-high five straight behind Nolasco's finest start of the year. Nolasco allowed one run in six innings for his first win since April 11. Luis Gonzalez delivered a three-RBI double to put the game away. At 21-14, the Marlins are off to their best start in franchise history after 35 games. They're seven games over .500 for the first time since Sept. 22, 2005.

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