Marlins fall short after LeBlanc's rocky start
JUPITER, Fla. -- The Washington Nationals sent their primary roster to Roger Dean Stadium on Wednesday afternoon. They also delivered a message of what their formidable lineup can do when assembled together.
Bryce Harper had two hits and drove in four runs in the Nationals' 7-5 victory over the Marlins.
Harper, the 2012 National League Rookie of the Year, had a two-run double in the third inning and added a two-run single in the fifth off Marlins starter Wade LeBlanc.
Nationals right-hander Chris Young kept Miami off-stride for five innings, yielding two hits and no runs. The right-hander, throwing in the mid-80s, struck out two. He threw 64 pitches, with 42 strikes.
LeBlanc, a frontrunner to be Miami's fourth starter, entered Wednesday without allowing a run in nine Grapefruit League innings. The string reached 11 innings before Washington pushed three runs across in the third inning.
In five innings, LeBlanc, who also was throwing in the mid-to-upper 80s, gave up six runs on seven hits in five innings. Exiting after 84 pitches, LeBlanc finished up with some more pitches in the bullpen.
Washington moved on top in the third inning.
Kurt Suzuki started a string of three-straight singles to open the inning. Young reached on a bunt single on a play LeBlanc attempted to make with a diving catch. Denard Span bounced a single into right field, filling the bases. Jayson Werth lifted a sacrifice fly to right, and Harper drove in two with a double to left-center.
Before Wednesday, LeBlanc did give up three runs (two earned) in 2 2/3 innings in an exhibition against Team Venezuela, which was preparing for the World Baseball Classic.
In the fifth inning, the Nationals did more damage with another three-run frame. Again, Harper had the big hit, a two-run single. Ryan Zimmerman's sacrifice fly to right padded the lead to 6-0.
A couple of walks to open the fifth -- including a leadoff walk to Young -- set up the big inning.
In the sixth inning, Miami got back into the game, stringing together five-straight two-out hits off Zach Duke.
Giancarlo Stanton had an RBI double, and Greg Dobbs chipped in with a run-scoring single. Rob Brantly had a two-run double.
Up next: Off on Thursday, the Marlins are back in action on Friday night against the Mets at Roger Dean Stadium. Ricky Nolasco will start for Miami in the 7:05 p.m. ET contest. Miami is hoping second baseman Donovan Solano, who tweaked his back on Wednesday morning, is ready to return. Fans can listen to the game live on Gameday Audio.