Miami, FL (Sports Network) - Gaby Sanchez hit a run-scoring double and Alex Sanabia picked up his first major league victory, as the Florida Marlins edged the Washington Nationals, 1-0, in the rubber match of a three-game set at Sun Life Stadium.
Sanchez finished 2-for-3 with a walk and Emilio Bonifacio doubled and scored the lone run for the Marlins, who have won four of six.
Sanabia (1-1), making only his second big league start, allowed four hits and two walks while striking out five in 5 1/3 innings. Leo Nunez worked a scoreless ninth to pick up his 22nd save of the season.
Ryan Zimmerman and Cristian Guzman each had a single and stolen base for Washington, which has dropped four of five.
Craig Stammen (2-4) worked six innings, giving up one run on six hits and three walks with six strikeouts.
Each side had numerous chances to open the scoring in the early innings, but came up empty.
Florida finally got on the board in the fifth. Bonifacio led off with a double and crossed the plate on Sanchez's two-bagger to right-center. After moving to third on a fly ball, Sanchez was thrown out at home on a groundout.
Zimmerman led off the sixth with a base hit and after Adam Dunn flied out, Sanabia, who was working on a pitch count, was lifted in favor of Brian Sanches. The right-hander retired the next two batters to preserve the slim lead.
Jose Veras threw a scoreless seventh and Clay Hensley allowed a bloop single to Guzman in the eighth. Guzman moved into scoring position with a steal of second, but Dunn struck out and Josh Willingham flied out, ending the inning.
After the Marlins were unable to tack on any insurance in the eighth, Nunez took over in the top of the ninth and allowed a pair of one-out singles, but Adam Kennedy was thrown out rounding second. Nunez then settled down to strike out pinch-hitter Ivan Rodriguez to polish off the win.
Prior to the game, the Marlins designated infielder Mike Lamb for assignment and recalled outfielder Bryan Petersen from Triple-A New Orleans. The move gives the club some outfield depth after reigning Rookie of the Year winner Chris Coghlan was forced to leave Saturday's game with back pain and is expected to miss the next three to four games...Florida went 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position and stranded 10, while the Nationals finished 0- for-9 with RISP and left nine.