Gaby Sanchez hit a tiebreaking single in the eighth inning and the Florida Marlins snapped a three-game skid with a 4-2 victory over the Washington Nationals on Friday night.
Pinch-hitter Bryan Petersen singled in his major league debut, starting the decisive rally against Brian Bruney (1-2). Petersen moved to second when Bruney fumbled Chris Coghlan’s bunt attempt for an error and Sanchez followed with a looper to right-center, breaking a 2-all tie.
After an intentional walk to Hanley Ramirez, Jorge Cantu’s sacrifice fly made it 4-2.
Marlins right-hander Chris Volstad (3-2) went seven innings, yielding four hits and two runs. He walked two and struck out four.
Leo Nunez worked the ninth for his fifth save in seven chances.
Volstad, who threw a four-hitter against Washington in his last start May 2, loaded the bases in the first inning and the Nationals grabbed a 1-0 lead on Josh Willingham’s fielder’s choice grounder.
Cody Ross’ RBI double tied it in the second. John Baker reached on a two-out error by shortstop Ian Desmond and Ross doubled into the left-field corner.
Ryan Zimmerman ripped a 2-1 Volstad changeup into the center field stands with one out in the fifth. The solo shot, his fifth homer, made him 8 for 15 with two home runs in his career against the right-hander.
Cantu responded with his seventh homer, a line shot to left-center with one out in the seventh, and the Marlins knocked Nationals starter Craig Stammen from the game two batters later when Baker tripled.
Stammen allowed two runs — one earned — on four hits over 6 2-3 innings. He struck out a career-high eight.
