With season fading away, Nats don't show much fight in 2-0 shutout loss

The math says they're still alive, but the play on the field hasn't offered much proof over the past two days. The Nationals mustered just three hits and had only five baserunners, suffering their fifth straight loss in a 2-0 shutout at the hands of the Marlins.

Marlins right-hander Jose Fernandez figured to make it tough on the Nationals. The 23-year-old entered the game 15-0 with a 1.14 ERA in 24 career starts at home.

Anthony Rendon gave the Nats some early promise, leading off the game with a line drive to left. After Fernandez struck out Danny Espinosa and Bryce Harper, he walked Jayson Werth. But Ian Desmond flew out to center, ending the Nats' only legitimate scoring chance against Fernandez.

"(Fernandez was) throwing breaking balls for strikes early and had a good fastball, too," Nationals manager Matt Williams told reporters. "We knew that he'd be short in some form or fashion because he hadn't pitched in a while. But he kept us at bay all night, throwing it where he wanted to and reaching back when he needed to. We just couldn't get anything going against him."

With Fernandez making his first start since Aug. 7 after straining his right biceps, the Nationals hoped to do some damage once the Marlins went to their bullpen in the sixth.

A leadoff walk to pinch-hitter Trea Turner was wasted to open the frame. And then a trio of Marlins relievers combined to retire nine straight Nationals hitters over the next three innings.

Rendon started the ninth with a double to left and then took third when Christian Yelich fumbled the ball. But Rendon remained there as Marlins closer A.J. Ramos whiffed Espinosa, Harper and Werth to end the game.

"We had a couple chances, but they didn't give us many tonight," Williams told reporters.

After suffering a brutal sweep to the Mets to start the week, the Nats have posted just one run over two losses in Miami.

Williams, who may be managing for his job, insists his ballclub continues to show fight.

"I don't think the effort has slacked at all," he told reporters. "Tonight's an example of a really good pitcher and we just couldn't get anything going. But the bench is lively, guys are loose and they're excited before the game to go play. Results haven't been there, but I think the effort and the attitude is good."

Meanwhile, the Mets won their sixth straight game tonight, opening up a season-high 9 1/2-game division lead over the Nationals with just 21 games remaining.

"I think that it's only human nature to say, 'Well, this wasn't our year' or whatever it is," Williams reasoned to reporters. "But you have to fight against that because at any time you're playing for pride's sake. We want to continue to win games. We want to finish our season as strong as we can possibly finish it. I think that's the attitude. I don't think anybody's giving in. Everybody's ready to play every day. I think the attitude is good. We'll see if we can get the last one here tomorrow and go on."