Four-Run 10th Lifts Marlins Over Nationals 8-5
WASHINGTON (AP) — Casey McGehee's fourth hit of the game drove in the go-ahead run in the 10th inning, and Reed Johnson doubled home two more as the Miami Marlins defeated the Washington Nationals 8-5 on Wednesday night.
Ed Lucas singled off Jerry Blevins (2-2) to open the 10th and Christian Yelich walked. After Derek Dietrich bunted the runners over, the Nationals intentionally walked Giancarlo Stanton.
McGehee then lined a single off the base of the wall in left, scoring Lucas, while Yelich stopped at third. That became moot when Johnson doubled. Yelich and Stanton scored to make it 7-4, and Donovan Solano singled home the eighth run.
Kevin Slowey (1-0) worked one inning for the win and Steve Cishek pitched the 10th, allowing one run.
Wilson Ramos, who went 3 for 6, hit a solo homer for Washington to tie the game in the seventh. Nate McLouth tied a career high with four hits.
The Nationals, who have lost six of seven, loaded the bases with no outs in the eighth, but failed to score.
Miami starter Henderson Alvarez blanked Washington for five innings. He led 4-0, but left with elbow stiffness and the Nationals rallied against the Miami bullpen.
Alvarez gave up five hits and threw 62 pitches. He was seeking his first win since May 6, and his first road win of the season.
Washington starter Jordan Zimmermann struggled for the fourth straight game, allowing four runs — three earned — and eight hits over five innings.
In his past four starts, he has given up 15 earned runs in 22 2-3 innings and his ERA has risen from 2.92 to 4.07.
With Alvarez gone, the Nationals rallied, batting around in the sixth. Singles by Adam LaRoche and Ramos off Chris Hatcher, followed by a walk from Ian Desmond, loaded the bases.
Hatcher struck out Kevin Frandsen for the second out, but McLouth hit the first pitch he saw for a two-run double. Dan Jennings came on to face pinch-hitter Danny Espinosa, who walked.
Denard Span then hit a bouncer that could have ended the inning, but first baseman Garrett Jones threw wide of Jennings at first for an error and Desmond scored to make it 4-3.
Ramos tied it in the seventh when he sent a 2-0 fastball from A.J. Ramos into the Marlins' bullpen for his first home run.
Despite two baserunning mistakes, the Marlins built a 4-0 lead.
In the first, Yelich doubled to lead off, but broke for third on a grounder to short and was thrown out.
The Marlins had first and second with no outs in the fourth after Dietrich singled and Stanton walked.
McGehee then grounded a single to left. Third base coach Brett Butler held Dietrich at third, but Stanton rounded second and came halfway to third before realizing it and was tagged out.
However, Jones, Marcell Orzuna and Adeiny Hechavarria collected RBI singles, and Orzuna scored on a throwing error by right fielder Jayson Werth to cap the four-run inning.
NOTES: Washington 3B Ryan Zimmerman (fractured right thumb) took live batting practice and fielded ground balls Wednesday for the first time since going on the DL April 13. . The first ballot update for the NL's starting lineup in the All-Star game was released on Wednesday and Stanton was fourth among outfielders, trailing third-place Ryan Braun by about 20,500 votes. Washington 2B Anthony Rendon ranks fourth, well-behind leader Chase Utley. . Marlins SS Rafael Furcal (left hamstring strain) will begin a rehab assignment Thursday with Class A Jupiter (Florida). . Both teams are off Thursday. Miami opens a three-game home series Friday against Atlanta, while Washington hosts the Texas Rangers.
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