Instant analysis: Nats 7, Marlins 4

Associated Press photo

John Lannan pitched another strong game in another one-day call-up from Syracuse.

Game in a nutshell: For the second time in two weeks, the Nationals summoned John Lannan from Syracuse to start one half of a doubleheader. And for the second time in two weeks, the left-hander delivered. He wasn't quite as sharp as his July 23 outing against the Braves, but Lannan tossed six-plus innings to earn the quality start and improve to 2-0 for the season. He was bolstered by an early offensive explosion that featured another home run from Adam LaRoche, a two-run single from Mark DeRosa and a whole lotta production from the heart of the lineup. Ryan Zimmerman, Jayson Werth and LaRoche combined to go 6-for-9 with two doubles, a homer and five walks. And though it took some finagling of the bullpen late to seal this one, the Nationals emerged with a relatively easy win over a self-imploding Marlins club in the first game of tonight's twinbill.

Hitting highlight: Everything's coming up LaRoche! After a 3-hit, 2-RBI performance Thursday night, the veteran first baseman brought out the big stick again for this one. He picked up three more hits, including his 21st homer of the season, and added three more RBI to raise his team-leading total to 67. Combine the two games, and LaRoche drove in a run four times in a span of six at-bats. Not bad. Also not bad: LaRoche's numbers over a longer stretch. In 14 games since July 20, he's hitting .396 with five homers and 12 RBI.

Pitching highlight: The Nationals really couldn't have asked for much more than they've gotten from Lannan in these two fill-in starts. He reached the seventh inning both times, held the opposition to three runs or less both times, allowed a total of nine hits in 13 innings and kept his pitch count relatively low. Lannan did battle some command issues in this game, issuing five walks (three in the first two innings). But he retired 13 of 14 batters at one point and effectively pitched with a big lead, going right after the Marlins. If these two outings don't convince the Nats he's capable of taking over Stephen Strasburg's rotation spot in September, nothing will.

Key stat: The Marlins pitching staff has issued 13 bases-loaded walks this season, more than any other team in the majors, including two today.

Up next: They're already warming up for Game 2! Gio Gonzalez faces Josh Johnson in a game that will begin in approximately 25 minutes.