Dukes scratched

Elijah Dukes has been one of the Nationals' hottest hitters for a couple of weeks now. Over his last 16 games, he's batting .404 while also drawing 14 walks. This is the kind of sustained production the Nats have been looking for out of Dukes.

But the old injury bug continues to strike. Dukes has been scratched from tonight's lineup due to a stiff back. He was walking around the clubhouse this afternoon wearing a heavy ice pack around his waist.

Justin Maxwell will now start in right field and bat sixth. Here's the Nats' revised lineup, as well as the Marlins' lineup for tonight's 6:10 p.m. game. (Remember, MASN won't be on the air until 7 p.m.)...

NATIONALS

CF Willie Harris

SS Ian Desmond

3B Ryan Zimmerman

1B Adam Dunn

LF Josh Willingham

RF Justin Maxwell

C Josh Bard

2B Alberto Gonzalez

P Marco Estrada

MARLINS

LF Chris Coghlan

1B Nick Johnson

SS Hanley Ramirez

3B Jorge Cantu

C John Baker

2B Dan Uggla

CF Cody Ross

RF Wes Carroll

P Anibal Sanchez