Justin Bour, Martin Prado power Marlins past Nationals
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Winners of four straight, the Washington Nationals opened their 11-game final homestand Thursday night looking to creep closer to the idle New York Mets in the NL East.
The Miami Marlins spoiled their homecoming.
Washington starter Tanner Roark allowed home runs to Justin Bour and Martin Prado and the Marlins dented the Nationals' fading playoff hopes with a 6-4 win.
The Nationals fell eight games behind the Mets.
"The Marlins, they've got a great staff. They hit the ball well. Bour, that guy is pretty incredible against us. Prado, Dee Gordon, they all hit well against us," said Bryce Harper, who had two hits and an adventure on the bases.
"Just got to keep fighting, keep rolling and win some more ballgames and see where we're at," he said.
Ian Desmond homered, singled and drove in four runs for Washington.
Roark (4-6) took the loss, allowing six runs and eight hits over five innings.
"You're supposed to limit the damage done and I didn't do my job today," Roark said.
Miami, winners of 12 of 16, broke a 2-all tie with a four-run fifth. Bour and Prado both homered for the second straight game.
Miguel Rojas doubled and later scored on Gordon's sacrifice fly. Christian Yelich and Prado hit two-out singles, then Bour fell behind 0-2, but worked the count to 2-2 before connecting for his 18th home run, and fourth against Washington.
Roark has allowed 14 homers in 93 1-3 innings this season. He gave up 16 in 198 2-3 innings last season.
Jarred Cosart (2-4) turned in his third straight productive effort since being recalled from the minors. He gave up two runs and three hits in six innings, walking three and striking out four.
A.J. Ramos got four outs for his 28th save.
The Nationals closed to 6-4 in the eighth. Anthony Rendon led off with a single and one out later Harper singled. Pinch hitter Tyler Moore drew a two-out walk that loaded the bases and reliever Bryan Morris gave up a two-run single to Desmond.
Wilson Ramos walked to reload the bases, but A.J. Ramos fanned Michael Taylor.
"It got a little hairy in the eighth, but it wouldn't be Marlins baseball if we didn't make it exciting," Miami manager Dan Jennings said.
In the sixth, after Harper fouled two balls off his foot and ankle, he singled. He was ultimately safe going first to third on Jayson Werth's singled after manager Matt Williams challenged the out call.
Clint Robinson, however, hit a slow roller to first, Harper was caught in a rundown between third and home and Washington failed to score.
Gordon led off the game with a single and one out later Prado homered.
Desmond tied it in the second with his 18th homer of the season.
"Obviously we lost, but I don't think any momentum is lost," Desmond said. "Had an opportunity to tie it up there in the eighth, also in the sixth. We kept on knocking on the door."
TRAINER'S ROOM
Marlins: INF Adeiny Hechavarria (left hamstring tightness) hasn't played since Sept. 2, but took infield practice this week and is "moving toward getting back on the field," according to Jennings.
Nationals: INF Ryan Zimmerman (oblique) missed his ninth straight game, but could begin swinging the bat this weekend, Williams said. . 3B Yunel Escobar was in the lineup after leaving in the eighth inning Wednesday because of a tight hamstring.
UP NEXT
Marlins: RHP Jose Fernandez (5-0, 2.06) makes his second start since returning from a biceps strain. Last Saturday against Washington, he allowed two hits and struck out seven over five shutout innings to earn the win.
Nationals: RHP Max Scherzer (12-11, 2.91) picked up his first win since July 30 when he threw eight shutout innings Sunday at Miami. He struck out six and didn't walk a batter.
WERTH ROLLING
Werth (1 for 3) extended his on-base streak to 26 games, one short of his career high. During this stretch, he's hitting .308 (32 for 104) with eight homers, 18 RBIs and 21 runs scored.
PRADO POUNDING NATIONALS
With his 2 for 4 effort, Prado is 20 for 60 against Washington in 2015, with two homers and six RBIs.
