Stanton continues to be a thorn for Nationals

MIAMI -- The Nationals are having a tough time trying to stop Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton at the plate. Since he entered the league four years ago, Stanton is hitting .329 with 16 home runs and 35 RBIs against Washington entering Sunday. Clearly those numbers are his best against any team in the league.

Stanton helped the Marlins tie the game on Saturday night, when he swung at a 1-2 pitch from closer Rafael Soriano and hit a mammoth home run over the left-field wall.

"The guy has a presence about him in the batter's box," Nationals right-hander Dan Haren said. "There are a few guys who are like that in baseball. He is really intimidating, he is a big strong guy. He can hit it out of any ballpark . He makes Marlins Park look small. With him, you really have to nibble at the corners. He has a really good eye, too. He takes his walks. He is a really tough out."

Shortstop Ian Desmond didn't have an answer for how to stop Stanton.

"He kills everybody. The guy is a master," said Desmond. "How do you stop him? There are a lot of teams out there asking the same question. He is a great ballplayer."