Marlins 4 - 1 Nationals
Final/13
  for this game

Murphy's homer helps Marlins beat Nats in extras

Sep 18, 2011 - 3:17 AM Washington, DC (Sports Network) - All eyes were on Stephen Strasburg as he made his third start since coming off of Tommy John surgery last September, but it was Donnie Murphy who spoiled the phenoms night by hitting a go-ahead two-run home run in the 13th inning.

Mike Stanton added an RBI double in the 13th for the Marlins, who edged the Nationals, 4-1, in the second test of a three-game set.

Strasburg tossed six solid innings, allowing one run on four hits, while fanning three. He threw 61 pitches, 45 for strikes, in a no-decision.

Clay Hensley (5-6) came on in the 12th and struck out the side to pick up the victory.

Collin Balester (1-4) pitched well in two frames of work in extra frames, but struggled in his third inning of duty. He allowed three Marlins to cross the plate in the 13th to take the loss.

While the spotlight was on Strasburg, Florida starter Chris Volstad had one of his better outings of the season. He threw seven innings, surrendering six hits, while walking two. He struck out three.

Florida got to Strasburg in the third when Omar Infante brought home Volstad on a sacrifice fly to left field. Volstad led off the inning with a double off the right-field wall.

Wilson Ramos started off the fifth with a game-tying solo shot to deep left- center field.

Washington wasted a golden opportunity to win the game in the 11th. Ian Desmond reached second on an error when Marlins pitcher Steve Cishek threw wild to first on a routine groundball hit back to him. Roger Bernadina bunted Desmond over to third. The Marlins gave Ryan Zimmerman an intentional pass, but Florida escaped when Michael Morse hit into an inning-ending double play.

John Buck led off the 13th with a single to left. After Greg Dobbs struck out looking, Murphy put the Marlins on top with the home run to left. Stanton added an insurance run with a double off the top of the left-field wall to score Infante.

Leo Nunez notched his 36th save of the year with a 1-2-3 13th.

Game Notes

Florida's 2.37 ERA among starters since August 30 is the second lowest mark in MLB, behind Philadelphia...The Marlins are 14-3 at Nationals Park since the start of the 2010 season.






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