Ross and Fernandez in pitchers' duel (Marlins win 3-2)

MIAMI - Manager Dusty Baker said during his pregame media session that the best way to have a shot at beating a really good pitcher is to pitch well yourself.

Right-hander Joe Ross has certainly done that. Although Ichiro Suzuki worked him for nine pitches and a single to lead off the game, it didn't faze Ross. He went on to finish that inning and then had a 1-2-3 second.

As expected, that "really good pitcher," right-hander Jose Fernandez, who has surrendered only two runs in 13 innings this season against the Nationals, has continued that type of stingy pitching over the first two innings tonight.

Although it hasn't been easy. Ben Revere and Daniel Murphy led off each of the first two innings with singles. But the Marlins defense got almost identical strike 'em out/throw 'em out double plays to extinguish the scoring opportunity.

The first-inning strikeout of Chris Heisey was ruled batter's interference and Revere was called out a second base even though he beat the throw. Home plate umpire Mike Everitt made the call. Heisey and Baker disputed the call. It didn't appear that Heisey was ever out of the batter's box. J.T. Realmuto threw out Murphy trying to steal in the second.

It's the middle of the third at Marlins Park with no score.

Update: The Nationals finally broke through against Fernandez in the fourth. With one out, Heisey walked. Bryce Harper battled Fernandez for a single up the middle to put men on first and third. After a strikeout of Murphy, Clint Robinson slapped a single through the legs of Fernandez that ricocheted off the second base bag into right field, scoring Heisey for a 1-0 lead.

In the bottom of the fourth, Ross faced a bases-loaded jam with one out. He wiggled out of it thanks to three sliders that struck out J.T. Realmuto and then induced a harmless comebacker to retire Adeiney Hechavarria.

The Nationals lead 1-0 after four innings at 501 Marlins Way.

Update II: The Marlins tie it up due to timley hitting a some sloppy defense from the Nationals in the fifth. Suzuki earned his third base hit of the game and then went to third thanks to a Ross overthrow to first on a throw over to check the runner. Martin Prado delivered a game tying single to right field and the game is 1-1.

But Ross again battled back to get Derek Dietrich on a groundout to first base and struck out Stanton for the second time.

After five innings it is the Nationals and the Marlins tied at 1-1.

Update III: The sixth inning was rough for Ross. Marcell Ozuna tripled and Justin Bour smacked a two-run shot the slammed off the front of the second deck in right field. The Marlins took a 3-1 lead.

Ross left after 5 2/3 innings, allowing eight hits, three runs (all earned) with two walks and seven strikeouts. He threw 96 pitches, 60 for strikes.

Sammy Solis inherited a runner at second and then walked Suzuki. He forced Martin Prado to fly out to left field.

After six innings, the Marlins lead 3-1.

Fernandez went six innings, allows one run on four hits with one walk and nine strikeouts. He tossed 99 pitches, 61 for strikes.

Update IV: Suzuki's double in the eighth was his fourth hit of the game. It is the first time he has gone 4-for-4 in a game since July 28, 2013.

The Nationals mounted a rally against closer A.J. Ramos in the ninth. Harper sent a dribbler towards third base that Prado could not handle. Daniel Murphy singled to right and Harper took third. Pinch-hitter Wilson Ramos floated a single into left field to score Harper. The Marlins lead was cut to 3-2.

Michael A. Taylor pinch-ran for Ramos and Anthony Rendon walked to load the bases.

Pinch-hitter Jayson Werth grounded a shot to Prado, who stepped on third to force Taylor, then threw to home where Murphy was tagged out for a doubple play. Jose Lobaton grounded out to first to end the game.

The Marlins survive with a 3-2 win over the Nationals.