Washington Nationals vs Miami Marlins Box Score on Sep 18, 2018

Stephen Strasburg struck out 11 batters in six innings, leading the Washington Nationals to a 4-2 win over the host Miami Marlins on Tuesday night.

Strasburg (9-7), who entered the game with a 4-0 record and a 0.67 ERA against the Marlins since April 2017, was solid. He allowed five hits, two walks and two runs.

Four Washington relievers closed out the game, allowing no runs in three innings. Sean Doolittle pitched the ninth to earn his 25th save of the season.

On offense, Washington was led by Anthony Rendon, who went 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Rendon hit immediately following Bryce Harper, who walked in each of his five plate appearances.

Peter O'Brien homered and had two hits for Miami, and teammate J.T. Realmuto went 2-for-3 with an RBI. In seven starts with the Marlins, O'Brien has three homers and six RBIs.

Marlins rookie Sandy Alcantara (2-1) took his first loss in his fourth major league start. He entered the game with a 1.42 ERA but struggled with his command, walking six batters and allowing six hits and three runs in four innings. His ERA increased to 2.35.

Washington produced five hits and drew three walks in the first two innings but scored just twice and left the bases loaded in each frame. The Nationals got RBI singles from Adam Eaton and Trea Turner in the second, and they stretched Alcantara's pitch count to 53 after just two innings.

Miami cut the deficit to 2-1 in the bottom of the second on O'Brien's solo homer.

Washington loaded the bases yet again in the fourth as Eaton and Harper walked around a Turner single. Rendon cashed in with a sacrifice fly, giving the Nationals a 3-1 lead.

With two outs and no one on in the fifth, Miami started a rally with singles by JT Riddle and Miguel Rojas. Realmuto then turned around a 93 mph fastball for an RBI single.

Washington came right back in the sixth, stretching its lead to 4-2 as Turner was hit by a pitch, stole second and scored on a Rendon single.

--Field Level Media