VIERA, Fla. -- Nationals outfielder Austin Kearns was back in the starting lineup on Sunday afternoon. Kearns went 1-for-2 with a walk against the Mets.

It was Kearns' first game since Feb. 25. He missed the last nine contests because of a blister on his left palm.

"It was fine [swinging the bat]," Kearns said. "The biggest thing for me was [swinging] in the indoor batting cage. I wanted to get other work in -- working with [hitting coach] Rick Eckstein and working on some things."

Kearns no longer has a closed stance, as Eckstein suggested that he open his stance so he would no longer be vulnerable to inside pitches. The new stance worked on Sunday.

In the second inning, Kearns hit an inside pitch from right-hander Livan Hernandez to left field for a single. In the fourth inning, with right-hander Carlos Muniz on the mound, the new stance helped Kearns recognize the curveball a lot better. Kearns ended up with a walk.

"We are trying to get his feet underneath him," Eckstein said. "We are trying to create the difference of leverage that is going to allow him to feel strong, and put a quick short swing on the ball and feel that explosiveness."

In other news, left-hander John Lannan threw four innings without giving up an earned run against the Mets. He threw 48 pitches in the game and an additional 15 more in a bullpen session.

Lannan hasn't allowed an earned run in nine innings this spring.

"They wanted me to get to about 60 pitches," Lannan said. "My arm is feeling great. The [bullpen sessions] are going good; the workouts are going good. I'm trying to get ready for the regular season."