MIAMI _ The Miami Marlins hoped that their off day came at the right time. After enduring a 15 game stretch that included five shutout losses and just two wins, maybe a 24-hour respite would be enough for the team to reset and get out of its early-season funk.
There's still work to be done, but Friday gave them a needed starting point.
Behind six dominant innings from Caleb Smith and enough production from an offense that has been lethargic at times, the Marlins pulled out a 3-2 win over the Washington Nationals at Marlins Park to begin a three-game series.
The Marlins' go-ahead run: A Curtis Granderson bases-loaded hit-by-pitch by Nationals reliever Matt Grace in the bottom of the sixth to cap a two-run inning. Miguel Rojas started the rally with a one-out double and moved over to third on an Isaac Galloway single. Rosell Herrera loaded the bases for the Marlins (5-15) after dropping down a bunt, which Nationals catcher Kurt Suzuki picked up just in front of home plate but didn't make a throw. Martin Prado, in as a pinch-hitter for Smith, walked on five pitches.
It was enough run support to give Smith his second consecutive victory and backed up another quality performance by the 27-year-old. Smith scattered five hits and gave up just one run off a Juan Soto RBI single in the first that scored Adam Eaton, who led off the game with a bunt single.
Smith threw 87 pitches, including 61 for strikes with 15 swings and misses. He struck out eight batters and didn't allow a walk.
The Nationals (9-9) cut their deficit to one when Brian Dozier hit a one-out home run to left field in the seventh off reliever Nick Anderson. Drew Steckenrider, Adam Conley and Sergio Romo closed the game with a pair of scoreless innings, with Romo earning his second save of the year.
The Marlins finished the game with six hits and four walks.
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