Nationals 4, Marlins 3
Ian Desmond collected three hits - including the go-ahead RBI single with two outs in the seventh inning - as host Washington posted its seventh victory in eight contests.
Jayson Werth forged a 3-3 tie after homering to lead off the sixth inning and Bryce Harper belted an RBI double to extend his hitting streak to 10 games. Steve Lombardozzi had a run-scoring double for the Nationals, who remained seven games behind Cincinnati for the second wild card in the National League.
Jeff Mathis and Giancarlo Stanton homered to lead off the fifth and sixth innings, respectively. Mathis added an RBI single in the sixth for the reeling Marlins, who have dropped seven of their last eight.
With the score tied at 3-3, Denard Span worked a walk to lead off the seventh inning and advanced to second after Mike Dunn (3-4) saw his pickoff attempt go awry. After Werth was intentionally walked, Desmond drilled a first-pitch slider into left field to plate the speedy Span for his second straight three-hit performance.
Drew Storen (4-2) was credited with the victory after tossing one scoreless inning of relief. Tyler Clippard struck out a pair in the eighth and Rafael Soriano retired the side in the ninth for his 35th save.
GAME NOTEBOOK: The game was delayed by rain for 1 hour, 12 minutes during the bottom of the second inning. Both starters - Miami RHP Henderson Alvarez and Washington RHP Stephen Strasburg - did not return to the contest. ... Span led off the contest with a double to extend his hitting streak to 11 games. Span, who went 1-for-2 with a pair of walks, is 18-for-45 during the stretch. ... Lombardozzi ripped a 1-1 fastball off Alvarez to plate Desmond for the game's first run. After the pronounced rain delay, Harper doubled the advantage by blasting a 3-0 offering to the wall in left-center to score 3B Ryan Zimmerman.