Stanton gets to Cole early with solo homer (Marlins win 4-3)

MIAMI - Right-hander A.J. Cole did well to keep the Marlins off the board in the first inning in his first-ever appearance in his home state at the major league level.

Cole grew up in Oviedo, Fla., which is 233 miles north of Miami. A strong contingent of friends and family cheered Cole's effort.

But Cole could not avoid Giancarlo Stanton. In the second with one out, Stanton launched a 448-foot homer to left field that left that bat at 115 mph. The solo homer, his 26th of the season, provided the Marlins a 1-0 lead.

In the third, the Marlins added to their lead thanks to a triple from Marcell Ozuna and a ground rule double by Christian Yelich. The Marlins extended their lead to 2-0. But Cole got out of the jam by inducing a 6-3 grounder off the bat of Stanton that ended the rally.

The Nationals have only a Wilson Ramos single in three frames against left-hander Wei-Yin Chen.

Update: The Nationals turned the tables on the Marlins with a big fifth inning. With one out, Ryan Zimmerman and Chris Heisey singled. On a full count, Espinosa crushed a 3-2 pitch off of Chen to give the Nationals their first lead 3-2.

Chen was lifted after 4 1/3 innings, allowing three runs on four hits with no walks and three strikeouts. The 22nd homer for Espinosa is a new career-high.

Cole finishes four innings, allowing two runs on four hits wih two walks and three strikeouts. He threw 79 pitches, 52 for strikes. Mat Latos on to pitch the fifth.

The Nationals lead 3-2 over the Marlins.

Update II: With two men on, pinch-hitter Derek Dietrich belted an RBI double over the head of Turner in center field in the sixth. Pinch-hitter Ichiro Suzuki grounded into a fielder's choice when Wilmer Difo elected to come home but his throw was wide of home plate. The Marlins lead 4-3 after six innings.

Update III: The Nationals were unable to tally a run in a critical seventh frame opportunity. Zimmerman and Heisey singled to begin the rally. Danny Espinosa followed with a sacrifice bunt to move the runners up.

With two men in scoring position and one out, reliever Fernando Rodney was able to strikeout pinch-hitters Stephen Drew and Clint Robinson.

Update IV: In the ninth, A.J. Ramos allowed a double to Wilson Ramos. Wilson Ramos was replaced by pinch-runner Michael A. Taylor. Zimmerman grounder to second base was picked up by Dee Gordon who threw to third to nab Taylor. Pinch-hitter Bryce Harper flew out to left field for the second out. Pinch-hitter Daniel Murphy flew out to right field to end the game.

The Marlins drop the Nationals 4-3. The Nationals have lost three in a row.