Nationals 3, Marlins 2
Ryan Zimmerman went 2-for-3 with an RBI triple in his first game back after missing almost two months with a hamstring injury as visiting Washington defeated Miami for the third straight night.
Jordan Zimmermann (13-5) allowed two runs – one earned – and five hits over six innings to extend his winning streak to seven games. Jayson Werth collected three singles, Denard Span recorded two hits and the go-ahead RBI and Drew Storen put two runners on in the ninth before inducing a double play to end the game and secure his ninth save.
Reed Johnson doubled and scored a run while Justin Bour added two hits and an RBI for the Marlins, who have lost eight of their last 11 contests. Jarred Cosart (13-10) gave up three runs – all in the seventh – and nine hits over 6 1/3 innings to suffer the loss.
Ian Desmond (two hits) singled to lead off the seventh and scored when Zimmerman’s line drive to right eluded the diving Johnson for a triple. After a fielder’s choice erased Zimmerman at the plate, Asdrubal Cabrera tripled home a run and scored on Span’s two-out single for a 3-2 lead.
Christian Yelich singled and moved to third on a fielder’s choice and Casey McGehee’s base hit before scoring on Bour’s two-out single in the first inning. The Marlins increased their lead in the fourth, when Johnson doubled to deep center before coming all the way around on two throwing errors.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Zimmermann, who struck out four and did not walk a batter, has not lost since July 11 at Philadelphia and is unbeaten in his last 12 outings. … The Marlins turned a double play to end each of the first three innings. … Washington LF Bryce Harper was held out of the starting lineup but came on as a pinch-hitter in the seventh and grounded out.