Relentless hitting helps Sánchez early on (Nats win 7-6)

The Nationals used methodical hitting to take the lead early on against the last-place Marlins.

After Harold Ramirez smacked a solo shot off of Aníbal Sánchez in the first to give the Marlins the lead, the Nats retaliated with three singles in a row in the bottom of the first.

Trea Turner, Gerardo Parra and Anthony Rendon singled off Marlins starter Elieser Herandez to tie the game at 1-1.

RBI groundouts by Asdrúbal Cabrera and Turner made it 3-1 Nats.

Victor Robles' double to lead off second was his 25th of the season, matching Juan Soto's rookie record from 2018.

The Nats committed two errors in the top of the third to help the Marlins load the bases with one out. But Sánchez struck out Jorge Alfaro and induced an infield popup from Isan Díaz to end the rally attempt.

After three innings, the Nats lead the Marlins 3-1.

Update: Lewis Brinson dropped in a ground rule double that went over the right field fence to start a rally for the Marlins in the fourth inning. Following a sacrifice bunt by Hernandez, Brinson came home on an RBI gorundout by Jon Berti.

After four innings, the Nats lead the Marlins 3-2.

Update II: Sánchez worked five innings, but had to come out after 94 pitches. He allowed two runs on three hits with four walks (one intentional) and six strikeouts. He fired 62 strikes.

Mid-sixth, the Nats lead 3-2 over the Marlins.

Update III: Rendon and Juan Soto hit back-to-back doubles to plate another run for the Nats. Soto has 22 doubles on the season, Rendon 37.

After six innings, the Nats lead the Marlins 4-2.

Update IV: The Marlins rallied for two runs in the seventh aginst Nats relievers Hunter Strickland and Roenis Elías. Starlin Castro drilled an RBI single and Díaz drew a walk to score another run. Elías got out of the jam by inducing a 5-4-3 double play off the bat of Brinson to end the inning.

Mid-seventh, the Nats and the Marlins are even at 4-4.

Update V: Soto's second double of the game, this one down the right field line, scored pinch-runner Max Scherzer as the Nats regained the lead in the seventh. Fernando Rodney struck out two in the top of the eighth.

Mid-eighth, the Nats lead the Marlins 5-4.

Update VI: Castro launched a two-run shot over the right-center field wall for his 14th homer of the season in the top of the ninth. Daniel Hudson failed in the Nats first save opportunity since Sean Doolittle went on the injured list August 18.

Mid-ninth, the Marlins lead the Nats 6-5.

Update VII: With two men in scoring position, Rendon drilled a two-run single to left field off of Ryne Stanek with one out in the bottom of the ninth for the walk-off winner.

Final score: Nats 7, Marlins 6.