(My Sportsbook) - With Josh Beckett shut down for the season, the Florida Marlins will look to righthander Brian Moehler to get the job done on the mound this evening in the last of a three-game set versus the Washington Nationals at Dolphins Stadium.

Moehler has lost two straight outings and five consecutive decisions overall, with his last victory coming on July 20. The 33-year-old struggled against Atlanta last Saturday, allowing six hits and five runs over three innings, while being touched for three homers. Moehler, who has split time between the rotation and the bullpen, is 1-6 with a 3.66 ERA in 18 home appearances this year.

Moehler has appeared in four games against Washington this season, going 1-1 with a 3.12 ERA. For his career, Moehler is 1-3 with a 5.19 ERA versus the Nationals/Expos.

Washington will send veteran righthander Esteban Loaiza to the hill this evening. Loaiza is 2-0 over his last five starts, including back-to-back no- decisions against San Diego and the New York Mets. Last Friday, Loaiza twirled seven strong frames versus New York, allowing seven hits and two runs while fanning seven and walking none.

Loaiza is 5-6 with a 4.46 ERA in 17 road starts this season. Loaiza is 2-5 with a 6.20 ERA in his career versus the Marlins.

The Nationals have won the first two contests of this series, including an 11-1 win on Tuesday. Marlon Byrd went 4-for-5 with a home run and four runs scored in the victory for the Nationals. Five National players had multi-hit days, including Jamey Carroll, who went 2-for-5 with three RBI.

Nationals outfielder Jose Guillen, who left Monday's game in the third inning with a hand injury, was not in the lineup. Guillen is questionable for this evening's game.

Relief pitcher Mike Stanton (3-3) did not allow a run in two innings of work to pick up the win. Nationals starter Jon Rauch threw three scoreless innings before giving way to Stanton in the fourth.

Washington, which will finish its season at home with three against Philadelphia, is 39-41 on the road this year.

Marlins starter Dontrelle Willis was denied his league-leading 23rd victory. Willis (22-10) gave up nine runs on nine hits in four innings of work with three walks and three strikeouts. Only five of those runs were earned, however, as the Marlins' defense committed three costly errors behind him.

Juan Pierre went 2-for-5 for Florida, which has dropped five straight and 11 of its last 13. The Marlins are now eliminated from playoff contention. No other Marlin registered more than one hit in the game.

The Marlins still need two more victories to secure their third consecutive winning season, a feat never accomplished in the franchise's short history.

Florida, which is closing out the season with six consecutive home contests, is 42-35 in its friendly confines.

The Marlins are 9-8 against Washington this season, including a 4-4 record at Dolphins Stadium.