NEW YORK -- Nationals infielder Aaron Boone has been productive coming off the bench this season. Entering Friday's action against the Marlins, his former team, Boone is hitting .260 with six home runs and 26 RBIs in 92 games.

The success has prompted him to announce that he would like to play ball in 2009. He is a free agent after this season and wouldn't mind coming back with the Nationals.

"I feel like I could have could have done better this year," Boone said. "I've had some ups and down a little bit this year. I try to step into the role and be the best that I can be. It's a willingness to do whatever is asked."

Boone said he has been rejuvenated during the second half of the season by some of the Nationals' recent acquisitions, such as infielders Emilio Bonifacio, Alberto Gonzalez and Anderson Hernandez.

"I feel like better days are around the corner [for the Nationals]," Boone said. "I see guys that want to come and get better and learn. I couldn't necessarily say that earlier in the year. I enjoy playing for [manager] Manny [Acta]. I think he is a good one."

Pitching matchup
WAS: RHP Shairon Martis (0-1, 3.60 ERA)
Martis had a successful Major League debut on Thursday, against the Braves. He threw five innings and gave up two runs on four hits. Martis managed to get the butterflies out of his system after he struck out Gregor Blanco to start the bottom of the first inning. Martis didn't know the significance of getting the first out of his career until pitching coach Randy St. Claire told him to throw the ball into the dugout.

FLA: LHP Scott Olsen (6-10, 4.41 ERA)
The 24-year-old left-hander is seeking his first victory since July 19, when he took the decision against the Phillies. Olsen has gone nine straight starts without a win. He is 0-6 in those contests. Olsen comes off a setback in St. Louis, where he gave up four runs on five hits in six innings. Olsen is 1-0 in two starts against the Nationals this season.

Tidbits
The Nationals have a .249 batting average this season. ... Washington has a team ERA of 4.61. ... Tim Redding leads the Nationals in strikeouts with 109.

Tickets
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On the Internet
 MLB.TV
 Gameday Audio
•  Gameday
•  Official game notes

On television
• MASN, my20

On radio
• WWWT 1500, SBN 1390 (Español)

Up next
• Saturday: Nationals (Tim Redding, 10-8, 4.49) at Marlins (Josh Johnson, 4-1, 3.33), 7:10 p.m. ET
• Sunday: Nationals (Collin Balester, 3-6, 4.86) at Marlins (Anibal Sanchez, 2-4, 6.46), 1:10 p.m. ET
• Monday: Mets (Mike Pelfrey, 13-9, 3.77) at Nationals (John Lannan, 8-13, 4.09), 7:10 p.m. ET