Major League Baseball

Marlins lost to Nats in 10, 3-2

Published May. 7, 2011 4:58 a.m. ET

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Trailing by a run in the 10th inning, the Florida Marlins were on the verge of another comeback when they put runners at the corners with none out.

This time they failed to come up with the big hit. The next three batters were retired, and Florida lost to the Washington Nationals 3-2 Friday night.

The Marlins have lost consecutive games for the first time since April 10-12. They fell to 8-4 in one-run games.

''We are all at a point where we expect ourselves to win those games,'' catcher John Buck said. ''When you don't, it's obviously disappointing.''

The Marlins rank second in the majors with 11 comeback wins. They fell behind 2-0 but nearly won the game in the ninth, when Mike Stanton hit a 400-foot flyout to center to end the inning.

After Adam LaRoche hit a tiebreaking sacrifice fly in the top of the 10th, Greg Dobbs and Buck singled to start Florida's final rally. But Omar Infante grounded out to the pitcher, pinch-hitter Wes Helms struck out and Chris Coghlan flied out.

''You always want to be on the other side of this win,'' Stanton said.

Washington's Tyler Clippard struck out all six batters he faced in the seventh and eighth. Drew Storen (2-1) pitched 1 2-3 innings, and Sean Burnett won an all-lefty matchup against Coghlan for his fourth save in six chances.

Washington broke a three-game losing streak despite striking out 15 times.

''We kept scratching and clawing,'' manager Jim Riggleman said.

Washington beat the Marlins for only the third time in their past 15 meetings.

''The last couple of years they've gotten the better of us, so tonight was a huge win,'' Clippard said.

Jayson Werth walked for the third time in the 10th against Mike Dunn (2-2), then advanced to third when Laynce Nix hit a high-hopper over first base for a double. LaRoche followed with his RBI fly to deep left.

Washington center fielder Jerry Hairston caught Stanton's ninth-inning fly at the wall near the 404-foot sign to send the game into extra innings.

''I was watching Jerry,'' Storen said. ''I said, `I hope it stays in.' It all worked out.''

Hairston, who came into the game batting .183, had two doubles and a single and drove in the game's first run.

The Nationals began the night next to last in the majors with a batting average of .226. They won with only seven hits, stranded eight and went 1 for 6 with runners in scoring position.

Washington's Jordan Zimmermann gave up two runs in six innings. Florida starter Ricky Nolasco struck out 11 and allowed two runs in seven innings.

''Whatever I did is not the important thing,'' Nolasco said. ''We let a tough one go.''

Nolasco fanned four of the first five batters before Ivan Rodriguez singled and came home on a double by Hairston. The Nationals made it 2-0 in the fourth when LaRoche led off with an infield single and later scored on Ian Desmond's sacrifice fly.

Florida scored in the fifth on a single by Greg Dobbs, a double by Buck and a sacrifice fly by Infante. With one out and the Nationals anticipating a bunt by Nolasco, a missed sign left Buck stranded off third in a rundown, and he was tagged out.

The Marlins made it 2-all with a run in the sixth. Emilio Bonifacio walked, took third on a single by Hanley Ramirez and scored on a single by Gaby Sanchez.

NOTES: After the game, Nationals CF Rick Ankiel (sprained right wrist) was placed on the disabled list retroactive to Tuesday. His replacement on the roster will be announced Saturday. LF Left fielder Michael Morse (sore knee) was held out of the starting lineup but pinch-hit in the ninth. ... Marlins 3B Greg Dobbs was back in the lineup after coming out of Thursday's game with a right leg injury. ... Florida LF Logan Morrison took batting practice for the first time since hurting his left foot April 19. He's expected to go on a brief rehabilitation assignment and may rejoin the Marlins for their next trip beginning May 13. ... Werth stole second base in the eighth but had to return to first because the batter, LaRoche, hit Buck in the helmet with his bat following through on his swing. Buck fell to the ground but stayed in the game.

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