Doug Fister dominates as Nationals clinch top seed

Sep 26, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher

(57) and right fielder

(18) dump a water jug on starting pitcher

(58) after his complete game shut out against the Miami Marlins in game one of a baseball doubleheader at Nationals Park. Washington Nationals defeated Miami Marlins 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

The Nationals needed to win just one game from their split doubleheader against the Marlins on Friday to clinch at least a tie for the best record in the National League and home field advantage for the first two rounds of the playoffs. Washington accomplished the feat in Game 1, beating Miami, 4-0, and earning the top seed for the second time in three years.

One of the biggest reason why the Nationals are storming into the postseason as World Series favorites is the emergence of Doug Fister, the veteran leader of a young pitching staff and the team’s top offseason acquisition.

Friday afternoon, Fister once again showed why general manager Mike Rizzo gave up so much young talent to get him last winter. The tall right-hander finished his regular season campaign in dominant fashion, pitching his best game of the season with one of the most dominant pitching performances in Nationals history.

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Fister pitched a complete game shutout, holding the Marlins to just three hits while striking out a season-high nine batters. The right-hander’s command was spot on all day, throwing 77 of his 104 pitches for strikes and walking none.

With the win, Fister ends his first season with the Nationals and the best season of his career with 16 wins and a 2.41 ERA — impressive numbers for someone who missed the first month of the season with an injury.

The Nationals offense provided more than enough run support for Fister.

Anthony Rendon started the scoring with a solo home run against Marlins starter Jarred Cosart in the bottom of the first inning. Adam LaRoche gave the Nationals a 2-0 lead later in the inning when he scored on a past ball by Marlins catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia.

The Nationals scored their third run of the day on an RBI single by Asdrubal Cabrera in the bottom of the fifth. Fister led off the next inning with a booming double to center field — his second career two-bagger. After Denard Span moved him to third with a single to right, Fister scored on an RBI single by Ryan Zimmerman to give the Nationals a 4-0 lead.

With the win, the Nationals are now 94-65 on the season and have secured at least a tie with the Dodgers for the best record in the National League. If the teams are tied at the end of the season, Washington would still get the top seed since it won the season series against Los Angeles.

They’ll be back at it tonight for the second game of Friday’s split doubleheader. Right-hander Taylor Hill (0-0, 4.15 ERA) will make his first major league start for the Nationals as Andrew Heaney (0-3, 5.33 ERA) takes the mound for the Marlins.

Here are the lineups for tonight’s game:

1. CF: Christian Yelich
2. 2B: Donovan Solano
3. 3B: Casey McGehee
4. RF: Garrett Jones
5. LF: Reed Johnson
6. 1B: Justin Bour
7. C: J.T. Realmuto
8. SS: Adeiny Hechavarria
9. SP: Andrew Heaney

1. CF: Michael A. Taylor
2. 3B: Kevin Frandsen
3. RF: Jayson Werth
4. C: Wilson Ramos
5. 1B: Tyler Moore
6. LF: Steven Souza Jr.
7. SS: Danny Espinosa
8. 2B: Jeff Kobernus
9. SP: Taylor Hill