Ryan Zimmerman’s two home runs helped the Washington Nationals to a 9-2 win over the Miami Marlins but it was Tanner Roark’s command that paved the way for a much-needed win.
In his first Major League start, the 26-year-old right-hander tossed six scoreless innings, allowing just four hits and no walks on 46 of 71 pitches thrown for strikes. In fact, he didn’t give up the Marlins’ first hit until Chris Coghlan singled in the fourth inning.
The Nats quickly jumped in front against right-hander Nathan Eovaldi. Denard Span singled to lead off before Zimmerman launched the first of his two shots to make it 2-0 Washington before the first out was recorded.
In the top of the third, he repeated the feat to lead off, putting the Nats on top by three runs.
Jayson Werth and Adam LaRoche followed up with back-to-back singles before Ian Desmond grounded into a force out that left Werth out at home. Then, Wilson Ramos singled home LaRoche and Desmond to power Washington to a 5-0 lead.
All remained quiet until the Nats tallied one more in the sixth off Sam Dyson by way of back-to-back singles from Tyler Moore and Anthony Rendon and a sacrifice fly by Denard Span to make it 6-0.
In the seventh, Chris Hatcher replaced Dyson and the Nats tallied another run via doubles from Werth and LaRoche.
In the bottom of the inning, the Marlins at last made markings on the scoreboard.
With Ross Ohlendorf in to relieve Roark, Christian Yelich, Adeiny Hechavarria and Jeff Mathis each singled to return two runs to Miami.
In the ninth, the Nats erased the Marlins’ progress after Desmond singled and Corey Brown walked, allowing Moore to single in two runs and bring Washington a 9-2 win.
THE GOOD: The Nats have seen great promise in Tanner Roark, and his commanding win provides more evidence to what Washington had already hoped for the soon-to-be 27-year-old. The Marlins are anything but an impressive team this season, but they did topple the Nats by seven runs just the previous night.
Even still, it’s encouraging when Washington’s batting order shows signs of a resurgence. The Nats recorded 16 hits Saturday night, including Ryan Zimmerman’s two home runs.
THE BAD: Ross Ohlendorf gave up two runs in a no-pressure situation.
THE STATS: 9 R, 16 H, 1 BB, 2 HR, 3-for-14 RISP, 8 LOB
NEXT GAME: Sunday, 1:10 p.m. ET at Marlins Park – Stephen Strasburg (6-9, 2.85) vs. Jacob Turner (3-5, 3.13)