Nationals 0 - 3 Marlins
Final
  for this game

Alvarez gets better of Strasburg, Marlins blank Nats

Jul 30, 2014 - 5:32 AM Miami, FL (SportsNetwork.com) - Henderson Alvarez got the better of Stephen Strasburg, and Christian Yelich knocked in a crucial late run, as Miami topped Washington, 3-0, in the second game of a three-game series.

Alvarez (8-5) and Strasburg (7-9) both worked seven innings, but Alvarez held the visitors scoreless on three hits despite four walks as Strasburg let up one run on four hits.

Steve Cishek loaded the bases with two away in the ninth, but emerged with his 27th save after fanning Anthony Rendon swinging.

Giancarlo Stanton drove in two runs for the Marlins, winners of six straight games and nine of their last 10.

"We're peaking at the right time...to make this push," Stanton said.

Bryce Harper collected two of his club's five hits for the Nationals, who have dropped four of their last six.

Cishek made things difficult for himself, allowing a leadoff single to Ian Desmond and hitting Danny Espinosa with a pitch.

After striking out Nate McLouth, pinch-hitter Jayson Werth flied out, but Denard Span punched a hit through the right side. Rendon was called out to end the game on a check-swing third strike.

Washington loaded the bases with no outs in the second inning on walks to Ramos and Desmond and a single from Harper, but Alvarez worked out of that jam unscathed by striking out Espinosa, getting McLouth on a liner and Strasburg on a grounder to second.

"Alvarez is a great pitcher," Harper said. "He had every pitch going for him."

Miami finally hit the scoreboard in the sixth. Jordany Valdespin hit a leadoff single and scored when Stanton belted a ball down the left-field line, but Stanton was thrown out trying to reach third.

The Marlins picked up insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth. Reed Johnson singled and Yelich plated him with a deep drive to left center that one-hopped the wall for a double and 2-0 game. After a sacrifice bunt Valdespin moved Yelich to third, Stanton's solid single brought in Miami's third run.

Game Notes

Miami's victory evened the season series at five wins apiece ... The Marlins (53-53) reached the .500 mark for the first time since a 4-0 series-opening decision at Philadelphia on June 25 ... Washington has been shut out in two of its last four games.






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