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MIAMI — Jazz Chisholm played for a single in first place on Stephen Strasburg’s return after a year’s absence, stole second place and the Marlins moved on Thursday night with a 7-4 win over the Washington Nationals that ended a three-game Sweep.
The 33-year-old right-hander, who fielded the first overall pick in the amateur draft on the 13th anniversary of his pick by Washington, allowed seven runs, eight hits and two walks in 4 2/3 innings.
“It felt good and I’m looking forward to learning from it and going back to the next race,” said Strasburg. “The fastball command could have been better there in certain places. I felt the transition worked pretty well. All in all, it’s a place to start and try to build from there.”
Strasburg (0-1) hit five and hit a batter, pitched 63 of 83 pitches for strikes and averaged 91.9 mph with his fastball.
“He didn’t throw 93-94 (mph), but his fastball had ooofff at the end,” said Nationals manager Dave Martinez. “There were late actions. Now it’s all about getting back out there every five days and getting it running.”
The three-time All-Star and 2019 World Series MVP had not played in a major league game since June 1 of last year and has spent much of the time recovering from surgery on July 28 to repair the Thoracic -Outlet syndrome, a compression of nerves, arteries, or veins near the neck or armpit. He had made three minor league starts in rehab.
The Marlins have been 12-0 in 15 games started by Strasbourg since May 5, 2015. His record against them fell to 21:8.
Trevor Rogers (3-5) allowed two carries and six hits in five innings.
Jesús Sánchez homed and doubled against Strasburg, and Chisholm had two bad singles. Garrett Cooper doubled and singled, giving him six straight multi-hit games.
“It feels great to be back and able to perform,” said Sánchez, who was sidelined Wednesday with a back stiffness. “Now that we’re here, we have to hurry up and move on.”
Chisholm scored on Sánchez’s RBI brace and Jon Berti followed with a two-barrel single for a 3-0 first-half lead. Miami fielded with 13 first-inning runs — only Detroit, with 12, had fewer.
“The guys did a good job getting down to base and getting some key hits and we were able to stretch it,” said Marlins manager Don Mattingly.
Juan Soto hit a two-run single run in the fifth round before Miami chased Strasburg in a lower half with four runs including Cooper’s RBI double, Jesús Aguilar’s run-scoring single and Sánchez’s two-run homer.
Washington closed in the seventh when Lane Thomas had an RBI double and Victor Robles ran home after a throwing error by right fielder Avisaíl García.
Anthony Bass clinched the final in seventh for a scoreless eighth place finish. Tanner Scott finished in a perfect ninth place for his third save.
NO STOPPING NOW
Chisholm scored Cooper’s double in the fifth inning to the left from the start. However, Chisholm ran over third base coach Al Pedrique’s stop sign and defeated left fielder Lane Thomas’ throw with a headfirst slide at home.
“He just drove over a stop sign,” Mattingly said. “Obviously you love his aggressiveness, but luckily it worked out.”
MANAGEMENT MOVE
The Nationals selected LHP Sam Clay to Triple-A Rochester for Strasburg’s spot on the roster. Clay stayed a day at the club when he was called back on Wednesday after Washington picked RHP Joan Adon for Triple-A.
TRAINING ROOM
Nationals: DH Nelson Cruz (spine stiffness) had a late scratch and will have an MRI on Friday, Martinez said.
Marline: 3B-OF Brian Anderson (low back spasms) visited a spine specialist on Wednesday and is feeling better.
NEXT
Nationals: RHP Erick Fedde (3-4, 4.88) will start against Milwaukee LHP Aaron Ashby (1-4, 3.13) in the opener of a three-game home series on Friday.
Marlins: RHP Pablo López (4-2, 2:18) will start the opener of a three-game series in Houston against Luis García (3-4, 3:07).
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