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WSH

3

11-3
Final
MIA

1

4-9
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WSH 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 3 7 0
MIA 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 5 0

W: Petit (3-5)

L: Chen (5-5)

S: Papelbon (19)

Marlins Park, Miami
Associated Press 8y

Harper, Petit help Nationals beat Marlins 3-1

MIAMI -- The first call to the Washington Nationals bullpen came in the first inning, and their relievers remained in emergency mode until Jonathan Papelbon struck out Giancarlo Stanton for the final out.

Four relievers combined to pitch seven innings after starter Joe Ross departed because of a blister, and Washington beat the Miami Marlins 3-1 on Wednesday.

Yusmeiro Petit (1-0) allowed one run in four innings as Ross' replacement, and Papelbon pitched around a two-out single in the ninth for his sixth save, completing a five-hitter.

"That was a big-time job by Petit and all our bullpen," manager Dusty Baker said. "We were sitting on the edge of our seats."

Ross said the middle finger on his pitching hand began to bother him when he threw a slider in the first inning. He has had a blister problem before and said the worst-case scenario is that he might miss one start.

"I think it should be fine, hopefully," he said.

The NL East-leading Nationals won even though they had only seven hits and went 0 for 3 with runners in scoring position. They improved to 6-2 on the road with one game left in a seven-game trip.

Michael Taylor homered, MLB RBI leader Bryce Harper doubled home a run and MLB batting leader Daniel Murphy went 2 for 4 to raise his average to .429.

When Ross' finger began to bother him, Petit was alerted to get loose. The veteran right-hander is a former starter accustomed to pitching multiple innings of relief.

"That is part of my role," the Venezuelan said through an interpreter. "In an emergency like today I have to be prepared to go as long as they need me. Luckily, I was able to do it today."

Papelbon closed out the win in his first appearance since blowing a save chance Sunday in a loss to the Phillies. His approach?

"Go with my best stuff and not overthink," he said. "That's what got me in trouble my last appearance. I've just got to throw my best stuff at the best time."

"Pap was dealing," Baker said. "He made some very quality pitches on Stanton."

Stanton went 0 for 4 with three strikeouts. He has fanned 20 times in 49 at-bats this year and is hitting .224.

Harper hit a two-out double in the third for his 21st RBI, scoring Ross from first base for a 2-0 lead.

Taylor homered with two outs in the fifth off Wei-Yin Chen (0-1). Baker noted that Taylor's mother was in attendance.

"He usually does something when his mom is in the stands," Baker said. "We might have to bring Mom with us."

Ryan Zimmerman put Washington ahead with a two-out, RBI double in the first.

The Marlins' only run scored on Derek Dietrich's first homer of the year. They fell to 1-7 at home.

"Anytime you don't hit, you come out real flat," manager Don Mattingly said. "We're not getting guys out there."

Chen pitched seven innings, a season high for Miami, and allowed three runs.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Nationals: OF Jayson Werth departed as a precaution in the fifth inning when his left hamstring tightened. Baker said he planned to give Werth a day of rest Thursday anyway, and he doesn't think the problem is serious. "I'm fine," Werth said. ... OF Ben Revere, who went on the disabled list April 6 due to a right oblique strain, is working out with the team but not yet close to a return. Baker said he's not sure if Revere will need a rehabilitation stint before he can rejoin the team.

Marlins: LHP Mike Dunn, who went on the DL on April 3 with a strained left forearm, is responding to treatment but still not ready to resume throwing, the team said.

OLD FRIENDS

Baker asked for and received an autographed bat from Marlins OF Ichiro Suzuki and 2B Dee Gordon and will give it to his son. Baker first met Suzuki, now 42, in 1997 while managing an American All-Star team playing a team from Japan.

"He's in the twilight of his career," Baker said. "But it has been a heck of a career."

UP NEXT

Nationals RHP Max Scherzer (2-0, 3.15) is scheduled to pitch the series finale Thursday against RHP Tom Koehler (0-2, 6.30). In two career starts at Marlins Park, Scherzer has pitched 15 scoreless innings and won twice.

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