MIAMI — Jose Fernandez stayed unbeaten in his home career, Dee Gordon’s standup triple led to him scoring the go-ahead run in his return to the lineup and the Miami Marlins topped the Washington Nationals, 4-1, on Tuesday night.
Martin Prado had three hits, while Gordon and Christian Yelich each had two hits for Miami. Fernandez (4-0) allowed four hits and one run in six innings, improving his record at Marlins Park to 15-0.
Jordan Zimmermann (8-6) gave up eight hits and three runs in six innings. The Nationals lost for the first time in his last seven starts, and saw their lead in the National League East over the New York Mets trimmed to one game.
Bryce Harper reached base for the 24th consecutive game and 43rd consecutive road game for the Nationals, who got Jayson Werth and Ryan Zimmerman back in the lineup after long stints on the disabled list.
Washington also made news during the game, trading with Philadelphia for all-star closer Jonathan Papelbon.
A.J. Ramos loaded the bases with one out in the ninth, before getting Yunel Escobar to ground into a game-ending 4-6-3 double play and wrap up his 17th save in 21 chances.
Tied 1-1 in the sixth, the Marlins took the lead with two runs off Zimmermann, who no-hit them on the final day of the 2014 regular season. Gordon — who had been out with a thumb injury — led off with his triple, scored easily on a single to left by Prado, who would later score on J.T. Realmuto’s groundout.
Miami added an insurance run in the seventh, Yelich’s second hit of the game scoring Cole Gillespie.
That was more than enough to ensure Fernandez stayed perfect at home. He got into some trouble in the second, facing second and third with no outs after issuing a leadoff walk to Harper and a double to Zimmerman. Wilson Ramos’ sacrifice fly delivered Harper for a 1-0 Washington lead, but the Marlins would tie it in the fifth when Realmuto scored on Adeiny Hechavarria’s fly ball to right.
The Marlins are 20-3 in the games Fernandez starts in Miami. His career ERA at Marlins Park rose to 1.19.
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