WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Miami Marlins haven't given up on beating Stephen Strasburg. They know it's going to be extremely difficult.
Strasburg pitched three-hit ball over six shutout innings and drove in two runs Sunday, rebounding from his poorest outing this season to lead the Washington Nationals over the Marlins 4-1.
Strasburg (12-5) struck out six and walked one, extending his scoreless streak against the Marlins to 27 innings. He hit a two-run single in the second and raised his batting average to .343 (12 for 35) with seven RBIs.
Strasburg has a 2.97 ERA in 127 1-3 innings. The right-hander is pitching his first full major league season following reconstructive elbow surgery in 2010. Washington officials say they plan to end his season early, and he is thought to have a limit of about 160 innings, although the Nationals have not been specific.
"Yeah, I think it's absolutely the right thing to do. Why would you want to risk your franchise player like that -- shut him down," Marlins catcher John Buck said with a smile.
"I think it's a great idea."
Buck struck out both times he faced Strasburg, and has fanned five times in nine at-bats against him.
In his previous start, Tuesday against Philadelphia, Strasburg tied his career high by giving up six runs. Strasburg has allowed four runs or more four times this season and in the following games has gone 4-0 and allowed just two earned runs.
"The last couple of starts against us, he's not 99, 97, striking out people and throwing the best breaking ball he has. He's matured. He's better. With that stuff, he doesn't need 99, 98," Miami manager Ozzie Guillen said.
Adam LaRoche also hit a two-run single as the Nationals won three of four from Miami and maintained a three-game lead over second-place Atlanta in the NL East.
Drew Storen pitched a one-hit ninth for his first save since Sept. 28. It was the first save chance for Storen since he returned July 19 from right elbow surgery.
Miami's Jose Reyes hit a fourth-inning single that extended his hitting streak to 24 games, the longest in the majors this season. Reyes starts a series Tuesday at his former team, the New York Mets.
Ricky Nolasco (8-11) gave up four runs, eight hits and four walks in six innings. He is 0-5 with a 7.16 ERA in his last five starts, allowing at least four runs in each.
"A pitch here and there, and I just kind of ruined the game for me and the team. That's what good teams do. They don't miss those pitches when you miss," Nolasco said.
"Adam LaRoche is the hottest guy in the league right now."
LaRoche is batting .442 with seven home runs and 16 RBIs in his last 14 games.
Strasburg gave up a double to Scott Cousins in the first inning, then retired the next nine batters. He never allowed more than one runner in an inning.
He also started the Nationals' offense in the second inning. Strasburg came up with runners on second and third and one out, and hit a two-run single to right field.
Steve Lombardozzi followed with a walk and Bryce Harper's single loaded the bases. LaRoche singled up the middle with two outs.
Miami scored in the seventh when Carlos Lee and Greg Dobbs led off with back-to-back doubles against Craig Stammen. The double gave Lee an 11-game hitting streak, the 19th time in his career he's hit safely in at least 10 straight games.
NOTES:. After striking out swinging in the fourth inning, Harper slammed his bat on the plate, breaking it in half. He apologized to Buck during his next at-bat. "I told him, `don't worry about it. I did the same thing when I was your age. It was a metal bat, and I was in high school.'" ... When the Marlins face the Mets to start a three-game series on Tuesday, they expect to have OF Giancarlo Stanton back. Stanton has been on the disabled list after right knee surgery early last month. Guillen is looking forward to it. "At least get a little better view of the offense. This guy, hopefully can carry this ballclub for a little while. When you manage him, he makes things very easy for you." ...Miami 1B Carlos Lee extended his hitting streak to 11 games. ... LHP Wade LeBlanc (1-1, 1.35) pitches for the Marlins for Tuesday against New York's LHP Jonathon Niese (8-5, 3.72).
