Trying to avoid sweep in Miami, Johnson juggles lineup

If you're one of those people who gives a cursory glance to a game's lineup, here's a warning: Get ready to blink, rub your eyes and react with general surprise when you see the batting order Nationals manager Davey Johnson has penned for today's first-half finale in Miami. Desperate times call for desperate measures, and Johnson - a manager who really likes the sameness of a regular lineup - has juggled things substantially in hopes of avoiding a three-game sweep by the Marlins. A night after being ejected for arguing balls and strike, left fielder Bryce Harper will hit leadoff for the first time in his career. He's hit second (five times) and third (51 times) this season, but the No. 1 spot is a new ballgame for the All-Star Game-bound slugger. Harper's ascension to leadoff has pushed center fielder Denard Span out of the No. 1 spot for the first time this season. Span, who has batted first in the previous 86 games he's started, gets bounced into the seven-hole for the first time as a major league starter. It's the lowest he's batted as a major league starter since hitting ninth for the Twins on July 21 during his rookie campaign in 2008. For the Nationals LF Bryce Harper 2B Anthony Rendon 3B Ryan Zimmerman 1B Adam LaRoche RF Jayson Werth SS Ian Desmond CF Denard Span C Wilson Ramos RHP Taylor Jordan For the Marlins LF Juan Pierre 3B Placido Polanco RF Giancarlo Stanton CF Marcell Ozuna 2B Derek Dietrich SS Adeiny Hechavarria 1B Greg Dobbs C Jeff Mathis RHP Henderson Alvarez