Nats' bats break out against Marlins (Nats win 9-2)

Apparently, there's nothing like the Miami Marlins to bring a team out of its offensive woes.

Going to the bottom of the third in Little Havana, the Nationals have a 5-1 lead, with right-hander Jordan Zimmermann on the mound. Zimmermann has given up a run on three hits and struck out three over two frames.

In the first inning, it was Washington's extra-base power on display. Jayson Werth doubled off the top of the wall in left-center and then scored easily when Bryce Harper tripled.

Tyler Moore led off the second by homering off the top of the wall in right field - see a pattern here? - and the Nationals continued to pile on against left-hander Brad Hand.

Danny Espinosa doubled, Sandy Leon singled and Zimmermann's sac bunt left runners at second and third for Anthony Rendon, who doubled both home.

Miami got a run back in the bottom of the inning on Reed Johnson's RBI single, but Espinosa's RBI double in the third restored Washington's four-run cushion.

Update II: We're through six innings, and Garrett Jones homered off Zimmermann in the Miami sixth to cut the Nats' lead to 5-2.

Zimmermann has allowed two runs on six hits, walked one and fanned six.

Update III: Harper's third extra-base hit of the night, a double into the right field corner, helped the Nats increase their lead to 6-2 in the seventh. Harper went to third when Desmond grounded out and first baseman Jones threw wildly trying to catch Harper off second, then scored on Moore's single up the middle.

Sandy Leon's first major league homer upped the lead to 8-2. Rendon later added a triple to score Zimmermann, who singled for the second time tonight. It's now 9-2.

That's 10 extra-base hits for Washington tonight.

Update IV: Zimmermann's night is done. In seven innings, he allowed two runs on six hits, walked one and struck out seven. Blake Treinen is in to face the Marlins in the eighth.

Update V: The Nationals finished with 11 extra-base hits, matching a team record, and won 9-2.