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Marlins continue hot stretch, send Nationals to 4th-straight loss
MIAMI (AP) -- Jarred Cosart says he's finally healthy again, and he showed it Friday night against the Washington Nationals.
Making his second start after a long battle with vertigo, Cosart pitched five shutout innings and helped the Miami Marlins beat slumping Washington 2-1.
Cosart, who won 13 games last year, has been limited to 10 starts for the Marlins this season because of his illness.
"I'm just trying to show them that last year wasn't a fluke," he said. "Obviously, what I dealt with earlier this year changes everything."
Cosart pitched around four hits and three walks before departing for a pinch-hitter. His last pitch might have been his best: He struck out Bryce Harper swinging on a nasty breaking ball with two runners on to end the fifth.
"What Cosart was able to do for five (innings) was tremendous," manager Dan Jennings said. "It set a very good tone. He was effectively wild early and set into a good rhythm. He has an attack mentality and he did that tonight."
The Nationals lost their fourth straight game. Harper struck out three times and stranded five runners.
"Bryce has had a fantastic year for us," manager Matt Williams said. "He had a couple of opportunities tonight, and it didn't happen for him. We'll try to give him those opportunities again."
Short-handed Washington out-hit the Marlins 7-5 but went 0 for 6 with runners in scoring position, and the Nationals' lone run was unearned.
Washington, swept in a three-game series by the Mets earlier this week, fell 8 1-2 games behind first-place New York, which beat Atlanta 5-1, in the NL East.
"It's not over yet," said Gio Gonzalez, who allowed one run in 5 1-3 innings. "Things change -- a lucky rabbit's foot or something comes through. We're going to stay positive most of the time. We still have a lot of fight in us."
Mike Dunn (2-5) struck out Harper, the only batter he faced, with two on to end the seventh and keep the score 1-all.
J.T. Realmuto led off the bottom of the seventh with a double off Casey Janssen (1-5). After the Nationals misplayed a sacrifice bunt, Realmuto scored the tie-breaking run on a sacrifice fly by Miguel Rojas.
Dunn, a left-hander, came on to face the left-handed hitting Harper with two on and two outs in the seventh, and struck him out swinging on a 95 mph fastball. Harper is 2 for 17 lifetime against Dunn.
"He and Dunn have a history," Jennings said. "In that situation it was the right time for Dunn. He made the quality pitches that he needed to make."
A.J. Ramos pitched around a two-out walk in the ninth for his 26th save in 32 chances.
ANNIVERSARY TRIBUTE
Rolf Koehler, a first responder on 9/11 as a member of the NYPD, was introduced between innings at the Marlins-Nationals game along with his son, Marlins pitcher Tom Koehler.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Marlins: RF Giancarlo Stanton (left hand) hit in an inside cage before the game and showed progress, Jennings said. ... SS Adeiny Hechavarria (left hamstring) is improving and might be available to play within a week, Jennings said.
UP NEXT
Marlins RHP Jose Fernandez, returning from a right biceps strain that has sidelined him since Aug. 7, will try to become only the third pitcher since 1914 to win his first 16 career home decisions. Fernandez (4-0, 2.30) is 15-0 at Marlins Park with an ERA of 1.14. ... RHP Tanner Roark (4-4, 4.41) will start for the Nationals.
