By Joe Conroy

Published: May 11, 2008

WASHINGTON — Wearing their Sunday finest — alternate red jersey tops — adorned with pink ribbons promoting breast cancer research in honor of Mother’s Day, the Nationals fell to the Marlins 5-4 in Southeast D.C. completing the three-game sweep at the hands of Florida.

Shawn Hill and Aaron Boone certainly did their best to make their mothers proud yesterday. Hill lasted seven innings and left with the lead, but the bullpen once again victimized the young right-hander.

Following an 11-0 drubbing Saturday, Hill — who hasn’t thrown fewer than five innings or allowed more than four runs in a start this year — was looking to end the Nats’ trend of four losses in the last five games.

“It was kind of the same thing as in Houston when we had two games that we could have won,” Hill said. “Every time you (get ready to) go on the road it’s always nice to get that win. The past two games weren’t great ones. We were going to take this one and go on the road on a good note.”

Hill has yet to earn a win in 2008 despite strong performances in each of his five starts. He hasn’t even been the pitcher of record in any of those games.

In his best performance this year, Hill pitched through the eighth inning against Atlanta April 30 and left the game with the score knotted at one run apiece. Last week Hill reached the sixth but was removed after allowing three runs.

Another strong outing against Florida gave the 26-year-old hope to tally a victory. But the win was not to be for Hill as Luis Ayala (1-3) gave up three runs on two homers in the eighth — Ayala’s only inning of work — frustrating the Ontario-native once more.

“We played well and it’s one inning,” Hill said. “You just kind of take your lumps and move on.”

Hill said knowing the bullpen was a bit depleted after Saturday’s contest (the Nationals used three relievers in that game over nearly six innings) and Friday’s game (3.2 innings between three relievers) he was looking to pitch deep into the game and give them as much of the day off as he could.

“It worked out that I was able to do that and we were in the game,” he said.

“With his sinker, they were just beating the ball into the ground,” Washington manager Manny Acta said. “That’s a good sign, he’s doing what he’s supposed to do. With the way our bullpen is right now, he did a tremendous job. It’s sad we couldn’t get a W for him.

“It was such a tough defeat (Saturday) and then we played so well for seven innings,” Acta added, “those are tough ones. Every game is won or lost usually in one inning.”

Boone, meanwhile, is doing whatever he can to make himself a valued part of the club.

Stepping in at first base to give Nick Johnson a day off against lefty Scott Olsen, Boone drove in two runs, less than a week after smacking the first pinch-hit home run of his career.

Boone’s solo home run to lead off the second inning invigorated an otherwise sullen home crowd from their early afternoon slumber as well as tied the game at 1-1. He drove another run in during the Nats’ three-run third as well.

The strong individual performance did not allay his feelings of the group effort and outcome.

“It’s frustrating, but we’ve got to turn the page,” said Boone, who was 3-for-4 in the game, a double short of the cycle. “It’s not going to get any easier and we’ve got to play better.

“I think everybody ought to be a little ticked off right now, embarrassed, whatever,” Boone added. “This game is a lot of fun when you win and you do well.”

Boone has played well lately despite seeing the sporadic playing time of a reserve, a role he was unaccustomed to until last year with the Marlins. In his six starts he is hitting .429 (12-for-28) with two homers.

“I’m just trying to be prepared everyday,” Boone said. “I don’t worry one way or the other whether I’m in there. If not, I’m ready when (Acta) calls on me.”

“He knows what his role is here, to back up first and third,” Acta said.

“He’s fine like that and I’m happy he’s contributing.”

NOTES: The Nationals announced that following Sunday’s loss to Florida the club optioned left-handed starter Mike O’Connor to Triple-A Columbus and recalled righty Chris Schroder to bolster the relief corps.

“We’re playing 16 games in a row and we need an arm for the bullpen,” Acta said. “We’re going to add an arm for the series in New York.

“Also,” Acta added, “it might not be fair, but we didn’t think that Mike threw the ball that well (Saturday).”

O’Connor lasted just 3.1 innings against Florida in the 11-0 loss.

Acta said there will be a roster move later in the week when O’Connor’s vacated spot in the rotation comes up but nothing had been decided at the time.

“All the way from Jordan Zimmermann to (Matt) Chico” are possibilities for the turn Acta said.