DUNEDIN, Fla. -- Nationals left-hander John Lannan pitched his last exhibition game of the spring Wednesday, and it turned out to be his worst outing, as he gave up seven runs in 4 2/3 innings in a 7-6 loss to the Blue Jays at Dunedin Stadium.

Lannan had trouble commanding all of his pitches in the 90-pitch outing.

"Me and [catcher Josh] Bard were talking about it on the mound," said manager Manny Acta. "He found it very strange that John couldn't throw any of his pitches for strikes, not even that sinker that he usually can go back to when he is struggling with the changeup and breaking ball. I told Bard that he usually has a day like that once every two months."

Lannan said it was best to get the bad start out of the way before he faces the Marlins on Opening Day on Monday.

"I was just leaving the ball up," said Lannan. "When you go 2-0, 2-1, they know what's coming, pretty much. They are great hitters. These things are going to happen, I guess, but you have to keep them to a minimum. I have to learn how to battle. I guess I got it out of the way."

In other news, outfielder Elijah Dukes struck out three times against the Blue Jays and is now hitting .234 with 19 strikeouts. After he was taken out of the game, Dukes was seen hitting in the batting cage.

Acta noticed that Dukes is not using the whole field when he is at the plate.

"He can go out from foul pole to foul pole," Acta said. "He doesn't need to try to pull every ball. That's the impression I've gotten the last week or so."

Dukes is competing against Austin Kearns for the starting right-field spot and Kearns has the lead. Kearns is hitting .275 with three home runs and nine RBIs this spring.