Lobaton's Sacrifice Fly In 10th Lifts Nationals Over Marlins
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WASHINGTON (AP) — Jayson Werth scrambled home to score on Jose Lobaton's sacrifice fly in the 10th inning and Washington Nationals clung to their faint playoff hopes with a 5-4 win over the Miami Marlins on Friday night.
Clint Robinson homered, singled and was intentionally walked twice for the Nationals, who remained eight games behind the NL East-leading New York Mets with 15 remaining.
The Marlins tied it in the ninth against Jonathan Papelbon, but lost for just the fifth time in 17 games.
Werth hit a leadoff double in the 10th against Brian Ellington (0-1) and Robinson drew an intentional walk. Werth reached third on a passed ball and had to stay there when Ian Desmond chopped a ball back to Ellington.
After another intentional walk, Lobaton hit a pop fly to shallow left. Christian Yelich's throw home was in time, but catcher J.T. Realmuto couldn't corral it, and Werth reached back to touch the plate following a headfirst slide.
Casey Janssen (2-5) pitched for the final two outs of top of the 10th. The inning ended when Lobaton threw out Yelich trying to steal second.
Yelich homered earlier for Miami.
Papelbon blew a save chance for the second time this year, allowing an unearned run on Dee Gordon's sacrifice fly after Miguel Rojas doubled and reached third on right fielder Bryce Harper's overthrow.
Marlins starter Jose Fernandez allowed two runs in 5 2-3 innings in his second start since returning from a biceps strain. Sixteen months removed from Tommy John surgery, he hit 100 mph with a fastball in the first inning.
Max Scherzer yielded two runs in seven innings five days after going eight scoreless against the Marlins in Miami.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Marlins: Manager Dan Jennings gave INF Martin Prado (wrist) a "precautionary" day out of the starting lineup. Jennings didn't specify which wrist Prado injured. . RF Giancarlo Stanton (left wrist fracture) could take live batting practice Saturday, Jennings said. Stanton last took BP on Monday. . RHP Carter Capps (right elbow) threw in a simulated game in Washington earlier in the day will throw at least one more before rejoining the team, Jennings said.
Nationals: Michael Taylor was out of Friday's starting lineup primarily because the Marlins will start lefties on Saturday and Sunday. Manager Matt Williams said he was also "mindful" of lingering soreness in Taylor's right knee.
UP NEXT
Marlins LHP Justin Nicolino (3-3, 3.81) makes his 10th career start, while Nationals RHP Jordan Zimmermann (12-8, 3.51) looks to improve to 5-0 over seven starts.
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