Marcell Ozuna connected on his eighth home run, a solo shot off Roark in the fourth inning, but that was all Miami could manufacture. Giancarlo Stanton was hitless in four at-bats, with three strikeouts. He is now hitless in his last 16 at-bats.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Bouncing back: The Nationals searched all week for an answer to why Roark had struggled so mightily against the Marlins this season, against whom he was 0-3 with an 8.40 ERA. But Roark put to rest those questions with a strong outing. He scattered five hits and struck out seven in 6 2/3 innings. The only run he allowed was a solo homer by Ozuna in the fourth.
Stanton's slump continues: After going hitless in 10 at-bats with nine strikeouts in the three games at Philadelphia, Stanton took early batting practice on the field with hitting coach Barry Bonds, with manager Don Mattingly watching. The slugger came close to connecting in his fourth at-bat off Shawn Kelley. In a rare at-bat without wearing his face guard against a right-handed pitcher, Stanton ended up striking out with a runner on first and the count full. Still, he nearly came up big, lifting a long foul ball to right field. It had the distance to be gone, but it drifted foul. Since May 3, Stanton is batting .158 (9-for-57) with 25 strikeouts and three home runs.
Mattingly on Stanton's slump
Mattingly on Stanton's slump, working with Bonds
Marlins manager Don Mattingly discusses Giancarlo Stanton's slump to start the season and his work with Barry Bonds
Escape Act: Roark exited in the seventh after a two-out walk. Left-hander Felipe Rivero entered the game and promptly allowed a single to Derek Dietrich to bring the tying run to the plate in Martin Prado. But Rivero worked his way out of the jam, forcing Prado to ground out back to the mound to end the inning. It was an encouraging sign for Rivero, who entered the game with a 4.58 ERA.
Nicolino stunned, then settles: From the first pitch, when Taylor lined out to left, the Nationals were hitting the ball hard off Nicolino. The Marlins' lefty was rocked in the second inning, giving up four runs, including homers to Zimmerman and Taylor. Nicolino had allowed just one home run over his first 25 innings this season before surrendering two in the same frame. From there, the lefty retired the next 10 before Bryce Harper's double led off the sixth. Nicolino was lifted after 63 pitches. He received help from shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria on Daniel Murphy's grounder, as he threw Harper out trying to advance to third in that frame.
SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS
Jayson Werth celebrated his 37th birthday and went 2-for-4 with his first outfield assist of the season. Since joining the Nationals in 2011, he is 6-for-13 with two homers and five RBIs on his birthday.
UPON FURTHER REVIEW
Harper began the sixth inning with a leadoff double, but he ran into a forceout at third base when the next batter, Murphy, hit a grounder to shortstop Hechavarria. The Nationals challenged, but the call on the field was upheld.
Hechavarria nabs Harper at third
WSH@MIA: Hechavarria nails Harper at third base
Adeiny Hechavarria gets Bryce Harper on a forceout at third, and after the Nationals challenge, the call is confirmed
The Marlins made their challenge in the seventh, questioning the out call on Hechavarria, who was attempting to stretch a single into a double with one out. After a review of two minutes and eight seconds, the call was confirmed.
Werth gets Hechavarria at second
WSH@MIA: Werth throws out Hechavarria, call confirmed
Jayson Werth throws out Adeiny Hechavarria trying to stretch a single into a double, and after Marlins challenge, the call is confirmed
The third review was a complex, three-minute, 52-second one, involving a potential double play in the ninth inning. On Wilson Ramos' grounder to Hechavarria, the Marlins tried to turn two, but after getting the force at second, Dietrich's throw to first caused Justin Bour to come off the bag, so Ramos was ruled safe. The entire play was reviewed, with looks at first, second base and the slide rule. The out at second was confirmed, but the call stood on the questionable play at first.
Umps review safe call at first
WSH@MIA: Ramos grounds into force out, umpires review
Wilson Ramos grounds into a force out at second and is called safe at first, which the umpires get together to review
WHAT'S NEXT
Nationals: Joe Ross, who turns 23 on Saturday, will take the mound for the Nationals at 7:15 p.m. ET in his second consecutive start against the Marlins. He was tagged for five runs (three earned) in 5 2/3 innings against Miami last Sunday at Nationals Park. He carries a 2.63 ERA into this game.
Marlins: Jose Fernandez, coming off being the National League Player of the Week, will take the mound. The right-hander is 5-2 (3.21 ERA) on the season, and he is 20-1 (1.65 ERA) in his career at home.
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This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
Roark solves Marlins as Zimmerman, Taylor homer
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