Marlins score 4 in 9th to beat Nationals 7-6
By STEVEN WINE, Associated Press
Jul 28, 2014 9:43 PM CDT
Miami Marlins starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi walks to the dugout after pitching in the first inning during a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Monday, July 28, 2014, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)   (Associated Press)

MIAMI (AP) — Jeff Baker hit a two-out RBI single to cap a four-run rally in the ninth inning by the Miami Marlins, who extended their winning streak to five games by beating the Washington Nationals 7-6.

Miami trailed 6-1 in the seventh. Washington's Rafael Soriano (2-1), who earned his 200th career save Sunday, took the mound in the ninth with a 6-3 lead and blew a save for the fourth time this season.

Casey McGehee led off with a four-pitch walk, Garrett Jones doubled and Marcell Ozuna hit an RBI single. Jarrod Saltalamacchia's sacrifice fly made it 6-5, and a wild pitch advanced Ozuna to second base.

Adeiny Hechavarria ended an 11-pitch at-bat with an RBI triple to tie the game, and pinch-hitter Donovan Solano was hit by a pitch.

Left-hander Jerry Blevins replaced Soriano and struck out Christian Yelich. Baker, who entered the game in the eighth inning, then lined a hit over left fielder Bryce Harper that hit the base of the fence.

The Marlins were coming off best seven-game trip in franchise history, a six-victory swing that put them back into the playoff picture, but it took them a while to get going in their home park.

Jordan Zimmermann allowed two runs in seven innings and was in line for his first victory this month until Miami's comeback.

A bad-hop grounder by Harper helped the Nationals score five runs in the sixth inning to take their big lead.

Miami starter Nathan Eovaldi allowed six runs, five earned, in 5 1-3 innings. He has a 6.75 ERA in five starts this month.

Mike Dunn (8-5) pitched a perfect ninth.

Marlins cleanup hitter McGehee hit his 101st single — most in the NL — but that was their only baserunner in the first 4 2-3 innings. Jones had an RBI triple and scored for the Marlins in the seventh to start their comeback.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Nationals: Jayson Werth was shaken up when his foot came down awkwardly at second base when he tried unsuccessfully to stretch a single into a double in the seventh inning. He was replaced in right field in the bottom of the inning by Nate McLouth.

Marlins: Second baseman Derek Dietrich, who has been on the disabled list since July 4 with a strained right wrist, may begin a rehabilitation assignment next week, manager Mike Redmond said.

ON DECK

Stephen Strasburg (7-8, 3.67 ERA) is scheduled to start Tuesday for the Nationals against Henderson Alvarez (7-5, 2.62). Strasburg is 1-6 on the road with a 5.09 ERA, and he has a career ERA of 8.61 with a 2-3 record in five starts at Marlins Park.

Alvarez is 0-3 in six starts against the Nationals.

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