MIAMI _ Runs haven't come easy for the Marlins this month _ or this season for that matter _ but their bats came alive on Monday night against Nationals.
Kicking off its final homestand of the season, Miami scored its most runs since Aug. 22, topping Washington, 8-5, in the series opener.
Starlin Castro went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs, while Magneuris Sierra finished 1-for-3 with two RBIs. Lewis Brinson and Miguel Rojas each drove in runs as well.
Jarlin Garcia picked up the win in relief, pitching 1/3 of an inning.
Marlins starter Trevor Richards picked up a no-decision on the night, allowing four earned runs on five hits and one walk in five innings. The rookie also struck out six.
After taking a 1-0 lead in the second on a throwing error, the Nationals tacked on three more on the third. Highly-touted prospect Victor Robles belted a 427-foot solo home run _ the first of his career _ to extend the Nationals lead to 2-0.
Washington continued with the long ball three batters later as Anthony Rendon crushed a two-run shot to left, giving the Nationals a 4-0 lead.
The Marlins struck back in the fifth inning, courtesy of Castro. With two runners on, the second baseman delivered a two-run double _ his 31st of the season _ scoring Austin Dean and Sierra to cut the lead in half.
The ensuing inning, Sierra contributed once again _ this time driving in a pair of runners. The rookie outfielder ripped a single to right, bringing home Brinson and Rojas to even the game 4-4. The Marlins took their first lead of the game one batter later, as Dean scored on a balk, giving Miami a 5-4 advantage.
The lead wouldn't last long, however, as Trea Turner delivered an RBI groundout in the seventh inning to even the game, 5-5.
Brinson and Rojas then pushed the Marlins back for good with RBI base knocks in the seventh.
