Nationals sweep Marlins 5-2 for Independence Day

The Washington Nationals swept the Miami Marlins 5-2 and gave fans a spectacular Independence Day game. Despite a rocky start, Anibal Sanchez threw a solid 6 innings and gave up five hits, two runs, one earned run, three walks, and two strikeouts. The bullpen (Tanner Rainey, Wander Suero, Jonny Venters, Javy Guerra, and Fernando Rodney) helped the Nationals with strong relief outings, and Rodney earned his second save as a National.

In the second inning, Kurt Suzuki hit a solo home run to put the Nationals on the board. A fourth-inning solo home run from Anthony Rendon tied the game, and Rendon delivered an RBI single to break the tie in the fifth inning. Gerardo Parra provided an insurance 2-RBI double in the sixth inning. The Nationals are now 45-41 and standing at .523.

Austin Voth will open tomorrow's three-game weekend series against the Kansas City Royals. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. ET.