LaRoche Hits 2-Run Homer, Nats Beat Marlins 3-2
MIAMI (AP) — Adam LaRoche hit an early two-run homer to support Doug Fister and lead the NL-leading Washington Nationals to a 3-2 victory over the Miami Marlins on Friday night.
Fister (15-6) allowed two runs and five hits in 6 2-3 innings for the Nationals, who have won six of seven.
The Nationals (89-64) lead the Dodgers (88-66) by 1 1-2 games for the best record in the league.
Washington's Denard Span had two hits and drove in a run for Washington.
Justin Bour hit his first major league home run for the Marlins and two RBIs.
Drew Storen pitched a clean ninth for his eighth save in 11 chances.
LaRoche hit his 25th home run of Tom Koehler (9-10) in the first inning, a two-run drive in the upper deck to right field.
Bour's RBI groundout scored Marcell Ozuna, who tripled to leadoff the second.
The Nationals loaded the bases in the third inning after Denard Span tripled and Koehler issued consecutive walks, but LaRoche struck out and Ian Desmond lined into an unassisted double play to second baseman Enrique Hernandez.
Span's RBI single in the fourth extended the Nationals lead to 3-1.
Bour pulled the Marlins to 3-2 with a homer to deep right-center field.
Koehler allowed three runs in five innings.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Nationals: 3B Ryan Zimmerman (hamstring) played seven innings in an intrasquad game on Friday in Viera, going 3 for 8 with a home run. He could be reinstated from the disabled list over the weekend. "He's sore right now, it's like spring training," Nationals manager Matt Williams said. "I don't think it's hamstring sore, it's just general body soreness."
Marlins: RHP Jose Fernandez (Tommy John surgery) has been cleared to start throwing on Oct. 1. "I know he's really excited about it and we are too, so that's huge," Marlins manager Mike Redmond said. ... RHP Bryan Morris (groin) has been shut down for the remainder of the season.
UP NEXT
The two teams will meet again on Saturday with Nationals RHP Jordan Zimmermann (12-5, 2.83) on the mound against Marlins RHP Jarred Cosart (4-2, 2.05). The Nationals have won the last nine starts pitched by Zimmermann, who is 6-0 with a 2.11 ERA during that span. Cosart will be looking for his 14th win of the season after going 9-7 with the Astros.
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