MIAMI (AP) — NL batting leader Bryce Harper struck out three times and stranded five runners, and the fading Washington Nationals lost their fourth straight game, 2-1 to the Miami Marlins on Friday night.
The Nationals out-hit the Marlins 7-5 but went 0 for 6 with runners in scoring position, and their lone run was unearned.
Washington, swept in a three-game series by the Mets earlier this week, began the night 7 1-2 games behind first-place New York in the NL East.
Mike Dunn (2-5) struck out Harper, the only batter he faced, with two on to end the seventh and keep the score 1-all.