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Strasburg solid as Nationals blank Marlins

Jul 15, 2012 - 10:40 PM Miami, FL (Sports Network) - Stephen Strasburg tossed six shutout innings to lead the Washington Nationals to a 4-0 win over the Miami Marlins in the third installment of a four-game set at Marlins Park.

Strasburg (10-4) allowed six hits but struck out seven and walked just one to snap a three-start losing streak.

"That was one of the more impressive games (Strasburg) has pitched," Nationals manager Dave Johnson said. "I thought he used his fastball better and his location was better. He got in some jams that he had to work out of but that is the Strasburg I've grown to love."

Michael Morse, Steve Lombardozzi, Danny Espinosa and Strasburg each had an RBI for the Nationals, winners in seven of their last 10.

Tyler Clippard pitched out of a bases-loaded jam in the ninth to secure the win for Washington.

Emilio Bonifacio doubled and Greg Dobbs had a pair of hits for Miami, which has lost four of its last five.

Ricky Nolasco (8-7) was pegged with the loss after giving up all four runs on six hits with two strikeouts over 5 1/3 innings.

The Nationals scored a pair of two-out runs in the fifth. Espinosa reached on a fielder's choice, then moved to second when Roger Bernadina grounded out. Nolasco intentionally walked Jhonatan Solano to put runners at first and second for Strasburg, who singled to right to plate Espinosa. Lombardozzi followed with a single to bring Solano home.

Washington tacked on two more in the sixth to take a 4-0 lead. Ryan Zimmerman and Adam LaRoche singled before the former scored on a Morse base hit. A wild pitch allowed LaRoche to take third before scoring on Espinosa's sacrifice fly.

"The big one I think was to Morse. I made the pitch, and it was just a little too much out of the reach of Jose (Reyes)," Nolasco said. "They just found the holes. I thought I was mixing it up pretty well and keeping it away from the barrel, but that is just the way the game goes."

Clippard allowed a leadoff single to Dobbs before issuing two walks to load the bases with no outs in the ninth, but was able to work out of the jam. Pinch-hitter Justin Ruggiano struck out before Clippard was able to get back- to-back foul outs to end the game.

"I think we had a golden opportunity," Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen said. "We had one of the best pitchers in the game against the ropes, and we didn't take advantage of it. If you want to be good you have to get things done."

Game Notes

The Nationals posted their fifth shutout of the season...The Nationals finished 3-for-4 with runners in scoring position...Strasburg threw 70 of his 105 pitches for strikes...Nolasco has not beaten Washington in Miami since June 29, 2009...The Marlins have been blanked eight times this season.