Nationals 6 - 3 Marlins
Final
  for this game

Walters, Nationals rally past Marlins

Apr 17, 2014 - 6:20 AM Miami, FL (SportsNetwork.com) - Zach Walters hit a solo homer during a three- run eighth inning as the Washington Nationals rallied past the Miami Marlins, 6-3, in the rubber match of a three-game series.

Ian Desmond added a two-run single in the eighth for the Nationals, who improved to 5-1 against Miami this season. Jayson Werth hit a three-run homer.

"I put a good swing on it," said Werth. "This park is so big, you really just don't know. Most other parks, it's probably a no-doubter. Here it's scraping the back of the fence."

Washington starter Tanner Roark allowed three runs on seven hits while striking out five over 6 1/3 innings. Drew Storen (1-0) recorded the final two outs in the seventh to pick up the win.

Derek Dietrich smacked a three-run homer for the Marlins, who failed to build off Tuesday's 11-2 victory.

Jose Fernandez gave up three unearned runs on four hits with 10 strikeouts over seven innings. He entered Wednesday's game with an 11-0 career record in Miami. Mike Dunn (0-2) took the loss after giving up the homer to Walters.

"To play at this level you have to be able to forget the past," Dunn said. "There's nothing I can do about that pitch now."

The Marlins took a 3-0 lead on Dietrich's homer in the fourth. Garrett Jones and Casey McGehee started the frame with back-to-back singles. After Jarrod Saltalamacchia flied out, Dietrich hit a no-doubter to right-center field that hit off the facing of the second deck.

Washington started its comeback in the sixth. Jose Lobaton led off with a double and Roark reached base when Saltalamacchia's throw to third on his sacrifice bunt pulled McGehee away from the baserunner. With two outs, Werth just cleared the wall in right-center field. The homer was confirmed following a video review.

Pinch-hitter Walters led off the eighth with a home run to left. After Nate McLouth walked, A.J. Ramos took over for Dunn. Anthony Rendon singled and Adam LaRoche walked to load the bases. Desmond followed with a two-run single to make it 6-3.

Tyler Clippard tossed a scoreless eighth and Rafael Soriano pitched a perfect ninth to secure the victory.

Game Notes

Washington outfielder Bryce Harper was scratched before the game with quad tightness ... Each team had seven hits ... Walters recorded his first big league home run on Tuesday.






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