WASHINGTON (AP) — Lane Thomas’ home run capped a seven-run attack in the third inning and the Washington Nationals beat the Miami Marlins 8-1 on Friday in the first game of a three-game series.
MacKenzie Gore struck out 10 over seven innings for Washington, which has won six of seven and improved to 5-0 against Miami this season.
The Marlins, who are 23-46, the worst in the National League, have suffered three losses in a row and have lost nine of their last 11 games.
Miami fell to 3-21 in games against a left-handed starter.
Gore (6-5) won for the fourth time in five starts. He allowed one run and five hits, matching the longest outing of his career.
The Nationals put an end to the work of starter Shaun Anderson (0-1), called up that day from the Triple A branch in Jacksonville, with seven consecutive hits at the beginning of the third inning.
For the Marlins, the Dominicans Bryan de la Cruz 4-1, Otto López 4-0. Panamanian Christian Bethancourt 1-0.
For the Nationals, Puerto Rican Eddie Rosario went 1 for 4 with one run scored. Mexican Joey Meneses was 1 for 4 with one run scored and two RBIs. Venezuelan Keibert Ruiz 4-0.
