Nationals' Friday night lineup: Adam LaRoche back in vs Marlins

Through six games on the Washington Nationals' road trip to New York, Atlanta and Miami, first baseman Adam LaRoche is just 3 for 23 (.130/.259/.261) and he's 0 for 17 with six Ks in his last four games.

The 34-year-old infielder sat out the last two games, joining the rest of the everyday lineup in sitting out of the series finale with the Atlanta Braves and then taking an extra day yesterday to rest the back issue which has been bothering him for the past few weeks.

Even without their middle of the order bat, the Nats managed to beat the Miami Marlins last night in the series opener in Marlins Park, with a big fourth inning providing all of the offense they needed in what manager Matt Williams said afterwards was a full team effort.

"We had a big inning and Gio [Gonzalez] pitched well, kept them at bay. Bullpen came in and shut them down. Just an all-around team effort tonight. Good win for us."

With the win, the Nationals improved to 88-64 on the year.

On the month, in September, LaRoche, who returns tonight for the second game of four with the Nats' NL East rivals from Miami, has put up a .245/.345/.551 line in 14 games with five home runs, seven walks and 12 Ks.

Against the Marlins this season, the left-handed hitting first baseman is 11 for 44 (.289/.341/.395) with a double and a home run in 10 games.

In Marlins Park, however, LaRoche is just 2 for 17 (.118/.238/.118) on the year.

Okay, that's enough.

• Here's the Nationals' lineup that will support Doug Fister:

#Nats lineup @ #Marlins: Span CF, Rendon 3B, Werth RF, LaRoche 1B, Desmond SS, Harper LF, Ramos C, Cabrera 2B, Fister P

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) September 19, 2014