Prado's Tiebreaking Single In 8th Helps Marlins Top Nats 3-2
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MIAMI (AP) – Martin Prado broke a tie with an eighth-inning single, and four pitchers combined on a six-hitter to help the Miami Marlins beat the Washington Nationals 3-2 Friday night.
The Marlins, starting a nine-game homestand, won their third in a row after a 3-11 start. The Nationals, beginning a 10-game trip, lost their third straight.
With the score 2-all, Adeiny Hechavarria doubled to start the eighth against Tanner Roark (0-2) and advanced on an infield single by Dee Gordon. Prado followed with a single off Aaron Barrett.
Prado also made a diving stop of a sharp grounder at third base to rob Yunel Escobar of a hit leading off the ninth.
Marlins starter Mat Latos had his best outing of the season, allowing two runs in 6 1-3 innings. Latos, a .118 career batter, also hit a two-out RBI single in the fifth for Miami's first run.
Bryan Morris (2-0) pitched around two walks in a scoreless eighth. Steve Cishek followed with a perfect ninth for his first save. He had 39 last year.
Bryce Harper drove in Washington's runs with a sacrifice fly and a two-out single. But the Nationals went 1 for 7 with runners in scoring position.
Jordan Zimmermann, who no-hit the Marlins the last time he faced them on the final day of the 2014 regular season, allowed six hits and two runs in six innings.
Washington took a 1-0 lead in the fourth when Ian Desmond doubled, went to third on a flyout and came home on Harper's sac fly. Harper hit an RBI single in the sixth to make it 2-all.
Miami scored twice in the fifth on four consecutive two-out singles, including RBI hits by Latos and Gordon.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Nationals: RHP Max Scherzer is expected to make his next start as scheduled even though he jammed his pitching hand while batting Sunday. " His thumb is a little swollen," manager Matt Williams said. "All indications are that he should be all right. Needless to say, he won't be hitting in between starts."
Marlins: Backup catcher Jeff Mathis (broken right hand) is scheduled to get a follow-up X-ray next Friday.
UP NEXT
RHP Stephen Strasburg (1-1, 4.50 ERA) is scheduled to pitch Saturday for the Nationals against RHP Tom Koehler (1-2, 6.75). Strasburg is 3-4 with a 5.59 ERA in seven starts at Marlins Park.
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