Major League Baseball

Eovaldi pitches well in Miami's loss to Washington

Published Aug. 28, 2013 12:57 a.m. ET

foxsports

Nathan Eovaldi did his part again, pitching six solid innings. And he got the loss, again.

Eovaldi got off to a slow start and picked up his fourth loss this month, with Miami managing just four hits in a 2-1 setback against the Washington Nationals on Tuesday night.

Eovaldi allowed two runs - both in the first - and eight hits, all singles. He is 0-4 with a 4.20 ERA in five starts this month, but he pitched seven innings and allowed two earned runs or less in three of those games.

''He's that guy that doesn't get any run support out there, and that's too bad,'' Miami manager Mike Redmond said. ''But he's fun to watch and he's going to have a chance to win a lot of games in the big leagues.''

Eovaldi insisted it's on him to be stingier.

''I try not to give up any runs when I go out there,'' he said. ''As close to zero as I can get it.''

Ryan Zimmerman and Bryce Harper had consecutive one-out singles in the first for Washington, putting runners on the corners. Zimmerman scored on Jayson Werth's groundout and Desmond singled in Harper to make it 2-0.

''Just ran into some trouble in that first inning,'' Eovaldi said. ''And if I can just avoid that one inning here and there, I feel like I'd be a lot better off.''

Christian Yelich homered and singled for the Marlins, who have lost six of seven. Miami has scored four or fewer runs in each of those seven games.

''I'm hoping these guys get tired of getting out,'' Redmond said. ''It's got to get old.''

Nationals starter Ross Ohlendorf (3-0) pitched five innings of two-hit ball before Yelich led off the sixth with his second homer, ending the starter's outing. It was Ohlendorf's second start since he was sidelined by right shoulder inflammation.

Tanner Roark, Drew Storen and Tyler Clippard each pitched a hitless inning before Rafael Soriano finished the four-hitter for his 34th save.

Nationals manager Davey Johnson said Ohlendorf simply hit a wall.

''He's done that several times now,'' Johnson said. ''I was kind of ready for it with Roark. He just kind of ran out of gas like he did the game before.''

Miami had its best opportunity against Ohlendorf in the fourth, loading the bases on Yelich's single, Giancarlo Stanton's double and an intentional walk to Logan Morrison. But Ed Lucas struck out and Justin Ruggiano grounded into a forceout at third, ending the threat.

Washington totaled seven baserunners after the first, but couldn't add to its run total. All nine Nationals hits were singles.

NOTES: Redmond said RHP Jose Fernandez has two or three starts remaining before the club shuts the 21-year-old down. Fernandez has thrown 152 2-3 innings and could approach his team-imposed 170-inning limit during his next two starts. ... The Marlins reinstated INF Placido Polanco from the seven-day concussion DL. ... Miami RHP Henderson Alvarez (2-3, 3.86 ERA) opposes Stephen Strasburg (6-9, 3.00 ERA) in Wednesday's game.