MIAMI _ The curse continues to follow Jose Urena.
Urena, the Marlins' unlucky, ill-fated, unfortunate right-hander hadn't started a Miami victory in any of his last dozen outings. Despite a mortal performance from Nationals starter Max Scherzer and six solid innings from Urena, the Marlins suffered a 9-5 loss to Washington on Friday night, extending Urena's unwelcome streak to 13.
The Nationals tagged Marlins reliever Nick Wittgren for three runs in the top of the seventh inning to break a 4-4 tie and hand Miami (19-31) its fourth loss in the past six games in front of 7,512 at Marlins Park.
Martin Prado had his best night of the season by going 3-for-4, but exited the game with a left hamstring injury after reaching on an error. The Marlins diagnosed him as day-to-day.
Wittgren was dazzling for the Marlins through his first 15 appearances, allowing his only earned run of the season more than a month ago. But Michael A. Taylor doubled and Wittgren issued walks to the next two Washington batters. Trea Turner's infield single scored one run and knocked Wittgren out of the game.
Left-hander Adam Conley gave up a two-run double to Bryce Harper before striking out Matt Adams and coaxing a double-play ball from Juan Soto.
The messy seventh inning spoiled a resilient night from the Marlins against Scherzer. Twice the Miami offense erased two-run deficits, first with Miguel Rojas' two-run single in the fourth and again with Derek Dietrich's two-run homer in the sixth.
Urena's outing soured with just two pitches. Taylor hooked a two-run homer down the left-field line in the second inning. Matt Adams's two-run homer in the sixth snuck over the fence in dead center field.
Urena tied a career-high with seven strikeouts and walked just one. Adams' homer was Washington's only at-bat with runners in scoring position against Urena.
