MIAMI -- The changeup wasn't working the way Marlins closer A.J. Ramos wanted for most of the inning, but when it mattered most, it became the pitch of the night for him.
Ramos got Jayson Werth to roll the pitch over to third, and Martin Prado did the rest, completing an improbable double play that helped preserve the Marlins' 3-2 win over the Nationals on Saturday night.
"My changeup, it wasn't very good today, but I knew it was going to [break down and in]," Ramos said. "It went in on Werth and luckily it went to the right guy, Prado."
Ramos, now 13-for-13 in save chances, kept his streak going the hard way. He entered with a two-run lead, but the Nats strung together three straight singles by Bryce Harper, Daniel Murphy and Wilson Ramos, and the Marlins' lead was 3-2.
A walk to Anthony Rendon loaded the bases with none out. Speedy Michael Taylor had pinch-run for Ramos.
Werth's grounder was over the bag at third. Prado snared it, touched the base and went home to get Murphy, who was tagged out by catcher J.T. Realmuto. Taylor was out at third, leaving first-and-second with two out.
The throw was more difficult than it looked because Prado didn't have a clear lane. In fact, he said he thought the throw might hit Murphy in the back of the head. It found Realmuto's glove without incident.
"A.J. was throwing offspeed pitches, and he's got a pretty good changeup and breaking ball," Prado said. "Right-handers, they try to pull the ball. I was aware and trying to keep my feet moving. I knew if something was hit close to the base, I set my mind to do whatever I could to double up. Fortunately for us, it was a pretty good ball to turn. If it was on the other side, I'm pretty sure, I'm going to second base."
Ramos locked down the save when Jose Lobaton tapped to first.
"I was thinking, keep throwing, let's go," Ramos said. "I'm going to get out of this somehow."