Nationals cash in on early free passes (Nats win 6-4)

Left fielder Christian Yelich got the Marlins off first with a mammoth home run to center field. The blast gave the Marlins a 1-0 lead after the first half-inning.

It was the second straight start where Stephen Strasburg had allowed a first-inning home run. Nick Castellanos of the Tigers drilled a two-run shot on May 9. It also marked only the fourth homer Strasburg had allowed in his initial eight starts of the season.

But the Nationals quickly got that run back for Strasburg - and then some.

Marlins starter Justin Nicolino walked the bases loaded in the bottom of the first. Daniel Murphy then drilled a sacrifice fly to deep right field scoring Michael A. Taylor to make it 1-1.

Ryan Zimmerman followed with a sacrifice fly to center field. Anthony Rendon slid just under the tag by Jeff Mathis and the Nationals led 2-1. Bryce Harper stole third and then came home on a RBI single by Jayson Werth for a 3-1 lead.

Update: Strasburg walked at least one batter in in the second through fourth innings, but has gotten out of each frame unscathed. He has five strikeouts and one double play behind him. Nicolino has also allowed no runs and just one hit since the Nats' big first inning.

Through four innings and the Nationals lead 3-1.

Update II: Jeff Mathis doubled to lead off the fifth for the Marlins. With two men on, Yelich doubled off the wall in left, scoring Mathis, and the Nationals lead is now, 3-2.

Danny Espinosa made an outstanding back handed catch of a hot shot off the bat of Giancalo Stanton. Espinosa got up and threw to first to end the threat.

Update III: First base coach Davey Lopes has done a nice job of reading Nicolino's timing to home plate. Taylor singled and then stole second to get the fifth going for the Nats. Rendon followed with a RBI single and the Nationals added back the run they lost for a 4-2 lead. Taylor now has two stolen bases in the game. Harper has one.

Update IV: Mathis added a RBI single to cut the Nationals' advantage to 4-3. Wilson Ramos answered with a solo homer to left-center field off of reliever Nick Wittgren. The Nationals lead 5-3.

The Marlins called for a video review of Ramos' homer, saying a fan interfered with the homer. The fan made a great catch with his glove on the ball. The umpires deemed it no interference and the home run stands. The delay was two minutes.

Update V: Strasburg finished six innings, allowing five hits and three runs with three walks and seven strikeouts. He threw 104 pitches, 68 for strikes.

The Marlins crept closer with a run-scoring off the bat of Martin Prado against Felipe Rivero in the seventh. Derek Dietrich led off with a double and scored. The Nationals lead 5-4.

Update VI: In the eighth, pinch-hitter Matt den Dekker reached on an error by Dietrich. Taylor doubled to center field. Marcell Ozuna misplayed the ball for another error, allowing den Dekker to score from first base for a 6-4 Nationals lead.

Update VII: Jonathan Papelbon allowed a walk to start the ninth, but then benefited from a 6-4-3 double play. Yelich was then walked. Stanton struck out in the pouring rain to end the game.

It was Papelbon's 11th save of the season. The Nationals are 23-13.