Nationals, Marlins aim to emerge from NL East doldrums

The Washington Nationals and the Miami Marlins -- two of the four National League East teams under .500 in the standings -- are set to start a three-game series on Tuesday night in the nation's capital.

Washington, which has lost five straight games, will start right-hander Josiah Gray (2-1, 3.14ERA). Miami will counter with right-hander Sandy Alcantara (1-0, 1.86).

The Marlins are on a modest two-game winning streak af