An Ian Desmond two-run homer tied the game at 4, and a two-run, two-out eighth-inning single by Yunel Escobar put the Nats ahead to stay in a 6-4 Washington win in a series opener with Miami at Nationals Park Monday night.
The Marlins had taken a 4-2 lead in the top of the eighth on RBI singles by Jeff Baker and Ichiro Suzuki. Ryan Zimmerman led off the bottom of the eighth with a walk. Wilson Ramos popped out for the first out of the inning, and Desmond followed with a long home run to left-center, his second of the season, off Bryan Morris (3-1).
Morris struck out Danny Espinosa for out number two. Tyler Moore singled, and Denard Span doubled down the right-field line to put two runners in scoring position for Escobar, who sliced a line drive down the line in right to plate Moore and Span with the go-ahead runs.
Tanner Roark pitched a scoreless ninth to earn his first career save, striking out Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton with a runner on and two outs to end it.
Nats starter Jordan Zimmerman got a no-decision in the win, but put in a solid effort, giving up two runs on six hits in seven innings of work, striking out four and walking none.
Matt Grace was credited with the win in relief, giving up two hits and a walk in two-thirds of an inning before getting the last out in the top of the eighth, in advance of the rally in the bottom half of the inning.
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