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Zimmerman, Milledge lead Nationals past Marlins

Sep 24, 2008 - 4:26 AM By Tim Hipps PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

WASHINGTON (Ticker) -- Ryan Zimmerman belted a two-run homer and Lastings Milledge drove in three runs as the Washington Nationals recorded a 9-4 victory on Tuesday, eliminating the Florida Marlins from playoff contention.

Washington's loss tally remains at 98 and it needs to go 4-1 to close the season to avoid the franchise's first 100-loss season since 1976.

"We're not even thinking about that," Washington manager Manny Acta said. "... we're just trying to win as many games as we can. We get no satisfaction from hurting people. We just want to win as many games as possible."

Zimmerman connected for his 14th homer in the first inning and Milledge lifted a sacrifice fly in the third against Florida starter Scott Olsen to hand Washington a 3-2 lead it wouldn't relinquish. Milledge added an RBI single in the fifth.

Olsen (8-11) gave up four runs - three earned - and eight hits over five innings.

Counterpart Shairon Martis yielded three runs and five hits over 5 1/3 innings to notch his first career victory.

"Regardless of what he did today, he's made a lot of progress," Acta said. "This kid was pitching in Potomac last year, so we're very proud and happy for the kid.

"After the first inning, he got it together, started throwing strikes, was able to throw his offspeed pitches over the plate and got his first win. Just the fact that this guy was pitching A-ball last year and he was able to pitch two good games against that type of lineup says something about the kid."

Martis (1-3) departed after issuing back-to-back walks in the sixth to Jorge Cantu and Mike Jacobs. Righthander Steven Shell entered and allowed an RBI single to Dan Uggla, which pulled the Marlins to within 5-3.

"The first inning was a little rushed," Martis said. "After that, I was more aggressive and hit my spots. Then for about four innings, I threw great pitches and hit my spots. Threw my curveball and worked in my changeup and they hit ground balls and flies. I felt like I was doing pretty good."

His teammates rewarded Martis with a face full of shaving cream.

"They got me really good," Martis said. "I didn't see that coming. I didn't see anybody coming. I just knew I had shaving cream in my face. I'm happy with that - that my teammates gave me the business, you know?"

Florida lost its fourth consecutive game, and its playoff hopes vanished in the eighth inning when reliever Eulogio De La Cruz allowed four runs and four hits - including RBI singles by Alberto Gonzalez, Milledge and Anderson Hernandez.

Gonzalez and Hernandez each drove in two runs and combined to go 6-for-10 with five runs scored.

"Hernandez swung the bat real good the whole night and Gonzalez stepped in for a sick (shortstop Christian) Guzman (flu symptoms) and had a great night," Acta said.

The Marlins received home runs from Josh Willingham and Cody Ross, giving them 203 on the year - a franchise record.

The Nationals also ended a four-game skid against the Marlins by beating them for the first time in seven meetings at Nationals Park.

"We had a good game today; we played exceptionally well," Milledge said. "We did everything we needed to do - come out and score early runs and give Martis some support. He's been pitching great, we just haven't been giving him our support. It's good to see him get a win and good to see him show the Nationals what he has."