The Miami Marlins clinched a crucial series-splitting win on Monday night by overcoming an early deficit for a 5-3 victory. The Marlins had to at least get a series split against the division-leading Nationals, who continue to cruise in first in the NL East. Miami is running out of time before the trade deadline to truly determine whether they will be contenders, with some speculating they may sell off assets at the end of the month if things go south in the next couple weeks.
This made Monday night's win that much more important, as the Fish held off several Washington rallies. A big break-out inning against Edwin Jackson was the difference, as Ozzie Guillen's club put a four-spot on the board in the bottom of the third inning. Carlos Zambrano started the rally with a leadoff single. Carlos Lee would then open the scoring with a single up the middle that scored Zambrano and Jose Reyes. Two batters later, Hanley Ramirez made it 4-2 with a two-run bomb to centerfield. That's all the Fish would need as Washington squandered a number of opportunities to get back in it.
The Marlins now head north for a series against the red hot Chicago Cubs. Anibal Sanchez will take the mound against Travis Wood in game one.
Stick with this StoryStream for scores, updates and more from the Marlins' series against the Nationals. For all things Marlins, check out Fish Stripes. If the Nationals are your team,Federal Baseball has you covered.