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Washington Nationals Win Game One Of Doubleheader, 6-4

By Ricky Keeler

May 14, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon (6) slides across home plate to score a run ahead of the tag of Miami Marlins catcher Jeff Mathis (6) in the first inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
May 14, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon (6) slides across home plate to score a run ahead of the tag of Miami Marlins catcher Jeff Mathis (6) in the first inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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In Game One of today’s doubleheader, the Washington Nationals defeated the Miami Marlins, 6-4 as Stephen Strasburg picked up his 6th win of the year.

This afternoon, the Washington Nationals played game one of their day-night doubleheader against the Miami Marlins. The Nats got a quality outing from Stephen Strasburg and gave him three early runs in the first inning. Plus, Wilson Ramos hit his fourth home run of the season as the Nats went on to win the game, 6-4 and pick up their third win in a row.

It was the Miami Marlins who got on the board first against Stephen Strasburg (6-0, 2.95 ERA). With one out, Christian Yelich crushed a home run to center field to give Miami an early 1-0 lead. It is Yelich’s fifth home run of the season. But, the Nats would answer right back with three runs in the bottom of the inning against Justin Nicolino.

After three walks by Nicolino loaded the bases, Daniel Murphy drove in Michael Taylor with a sacrifice fly to right. Then, Ryan Zimmerman followed that up with a sac fly of his own to center as Anthony Rendon just beat the throw home by Marcell Ozuna. Finally, Jayson Werth’s single to left drove in Harper to put the Washington Nationals up, 3-1.

In the top of the fifth, Yelich would pick up his second RBI against Strasburg when he doubled to left field to drive in Jeff Mathis (who doubled to begin the inning). With the score 3-2, the Nats got the run back in the bottom of the inning when Rendon drove in Michael Taylor with a base hit to left. Taylor singled and stole second during the inning.

One inning later, it was Mathis who drove in the run for the Marlins. With two outs, Miami’s catcher would single to left to drive in Ozuna and cut the Nats’ lead to 4-3. But, Strasburg got Ichiro Suzuki to groundout to end the inning. The right-hander went six innings, gave up three runs on five hits, struck out seven, and walked three on 104 pitches to improve his record on the season to 6-0.

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With the Washington Nationals up by one run, Wilson Ramos extended the lead to two when he led off the bottom of the sixth with a solo home run to left center against reliever Nick Wittgren. Ramos’ fourth home run of the season was reviewed, but the play stood.

Once Strasburg’s day was done, Felipe Rivero came in, but he allowed a double to Derek Dietrich and a RBI single to Martin Prado that made it 5-4, Nats. After striking out Yelich, Dusty Baker brought in Shawn Kelley. Kelley had a strong outing today as he gave up one hit and struck out three of the six batters he faced.

The Washington Nationals would add more insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth. Matt den Dekker, who was called up as the extra man for the doubleheader, reached on an error to start the inning against Jose Urena. Then, Taylor doubled to left to drive in den Dekker, who scored on the error by Ozuna to increase the lead to 6-4.

Jonathan Papelbon would walk two batters in the top of the ninth, but with Yelich on first and two outs, the Nats’ closer struck out Giancarlo Stanton swinging to end the game and pick up his 11th save of the season.

Next: Reaction: Baker Making All The Right Moves

Next Game: The Washington Nationals (23-13) will play game two of their doubleheader with the Miami Marlins (18-17) tonight. You can catch the game on MASN2 at 7:05 p.m ET. Tanner Roark (2-2, 2.03 ERA) will get the start for the Nats against Kendry Flores (2016 debut) for the Marlins.

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