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Fister dominant as Nats clinch NL's top seed

Sep 26, 2014 - 11:31 PM Washington, DC (SportsNetwork.com) - Doug Fister tossed a shutout as the Washington Nationals clinched the National League's top seed with a 4-0 victory over the Miami Marlins.

Fister (16-6) surrendered just three hits with no walks and nine strikeouts for the Nationals, who will own home-field advantage throughout the NL playoffs.

"He was in command all day," Washington manager Matt Williams said of Fister. "Once he got through the eighth, the idea was to let him finish the game. He pitched really well."

Anthony Rendon, Ryan Zimmerman and Asdrubal Cabrera each drove in a run, and Adam LaRoche had two hits and a run scored to help Washington take the opener of Friday's day-night doubleheader.

Donovan Solano had all three hits for the Marlins, while starter Jarred Cosart (4-4) gave up three runs -- two earned -- on four hits and eight walks over five innings.

"He was just out of whack today," Marlins manager Mike Redmond said of Cosart. "Today wasn't his day."

The Nationals wasted no time getting on the board. Rendon smacked a one-out shot to left field for his 21st homer of the season. LaRoche got aboard with a two-out single and Ian Desmond doubled off the right-field wall, LaRoche came home on a passed ball for a 2-0 lead.

Washington added a run in both the fifth and sixth innings.

Zimmerman walked to start the fifth. Desmond followed in similar fashion two batters later and Cabrera's infield single brought home Zimmerman for a 3-0 score.

Zimmerman's single to center brought home Fister, who doubled to open the sixth.

The Nationals loaded the bases in the seventh, but Dan Jennings caught a comebacker to the mound and threw to first for the third out.

In the ninth, Solano hit a two-out triple past a diving Bryce Harper in right, but Cabrera made a diving catch to rob Casey McGehee of a base hit and end the game.

Game Notes

Fister tossed his second career shutout and seventh complete game ... The Nationals lead the season series 11-5 and have won six straight against the Marlins ... Cosart has lost his last three decisions ... The Nationals are 73-10 when scoring four or more runs this season.