Bryce Harper, Tyler Moore homer in Nats' 5-2 win

The Marlins jumped on Nationals right-hander Jordan Zimmermann in the first. Dee Gordon legged out an infield single to start the game. After Ichiro Suzuki grounded into a force out, Christian Yelich laced an RBI double to the gap in left-center.

zimmermann-pitching-red-wide-sidebar.jpgJustin Bour followed with a line drive base hit to center, scoring Yelich.

Update: The Nats managed only two hits against Marlins left-hander Brad Hand through the first four innings. But in the fifth, Tyler Moore drilled a solo homer to deep left-center field, cutting the Marlins lead in the half.

Update II: Zimmermann followed Moore's homer with a single to center. Hand then loaded the bases on back-to-back walks to Anthony Rendon and Yunel Escobar, bringing Bryce Harper to the plate.

Harper tangled with Hand for 10 pitches before lifting a sacrifice fly to right, scoring Zimmermann with the tying run.

Hand's control issues continued with two more walks to Jayson Werth and Ian Desmond, plating Rendon to give the Nats the lead.

Update III: Zimmermann allowed two runs on six hits, with one walk and seven strikeouts. He threw 95 pitches over six innings.

Left-hander Felipe Rivero will start the seventh.

Update IV: Rivero retired the Marlins in order in the seventh.

Escobar drew another walk to start the bottom of the frame. Then, Harper launched his 41st homer into the second deck in right.

Update V: Jonathan Papelbon closed out the Marlins in the ninth for his seventh save with the Nats.

The Nationals beat the Marlins 5-2. With the Mets loss, the Nationals pull to within seven games of the division lead.




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