Sep 19, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher
Doug Fister(58) delivers a pitch in the second inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Doug Fister has been the Nationals’ most reliable starter all season, putting together quality outings and giving his team a chance to win the game nearly every time he takes the mound. Friday night was no different, as Fister turned in a strong performance against the Marlins en route to his 15th win of the season.
The Nationals right-hander pitched 6 2/3 strong innings, allowing just two runs on five hits. Fister’s only mistakes came came against Marlins rookie Justin Bour, who drove in two runs for the Marlins on an RBI groundout in the second and a home run in the fourth.
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But that was all the damage Miami would make on the night, and the Nationals provided Fister with just enough run support to seal his 15th win of the season.
It all started with Adam LaRoche, who lined a two-run home run to right field against Marlins starter Tom Koehler in the first, giving the Nationals a 2-0 lead. After the Marlins had cut the lead in half in the second, an RBI single by Denard Span in the fourth gave the Nationals a 3-1 lead.
It was another great day at the plate for Span, who recorded his 56th multihit game of the year.
After Fister left the game in the sixth inning with the Nationals clinging to a 3-2 lead, relievers Matt Thornton, Tyler Clippard and Drew Storen pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings and the Nationals went on to win, 3-2. Storen, further cementing his spot as the Nationals’ closer, pitched a spotless ninth inning and earned his eighth save of the season.
With tonight’s win, the Nationals are 89-64 on the season and lead the Dodgers by 1 1/2 games for the best record in the National League.
Next game: Right-hander Jordan Zimmermann (12-5, 2.83 ERA) and the Nationals look to secure a series win against right-hander Jared Cosart (4-2, 2.05 ERA) and the Marlins.