MIAMI - The Nationals are quickly experiencing the benefits of their injured stars returning to the lineup the past week. In the second, it was Ryan Zimmerman leading off with a deep blast to the power alley in left-center field. The solo shot was Zimmerman's sixth of the season and first since coming off the disabled list on Tuesday after missing 40 games.
Bryce Harper stayed hot, ripping a double down the right field line in his first at-bat.
Nationals starter Max Scherzer has yielded one hit with a strikeout through the first two innings.
Update:
The Nats have only managed four hits against Marlins starter Dan Haren. Zimmerman added a double in the sixth.
Update II: Scherzer tossed seven scoreless innings, surrendering just three hits with three walks and six strikeouts. He threw 109 pitches. It was the first time Scherzer issued three walks in a game this season.
Drew Storen breezed through the eighth inning, setting down the Marlins in order with two strikeouts.
Update III: Jonathan Papelbon pitched a perfect ninth for his first save with the Nationals.
The Nationals beat the Marlins 1-0.