Stephen Strasburg struck out 10 in another solid start, and the Washington Nationals broke open a tight game with a seven-run sixth in defeating the Miami Marlins, 13-3, on Sunday.
Washington (78-71) has won seven of its last eight, and is currently six and a half games back of the New York Mets in the National League East.
Strasburg (10-7, 3.81 ERA) gave up two runs, one earned, on six hits in seven innings of work. He has now struck out 10 or more hitters in three straight starts.
Bryce Harper was 3-for-4 at the plate to raise his MLB-best batting average to .343. Yunel Escobar was 4-for-4 with four RBI and three runs scored.
Justin Nicolino (3-4, 4.50 ERA) took the loss for Miami, charged with seven runs on seven hits in five and two-thirds innings of work.