Jason Marquis was absolutely dreadful in his first season as a member of the Washington Nationals. His second season has been much better. Marquis continued his strong start, hurling a complete-game shutout and outdueling Tim Lincecum in a 3-0 Nationals victory.
Marquis gave up just five hits in nine innings, striking out seven. He now moves to 3-0 on the season and has a 2.62 ERA. This is the pitcher Mike Rizzo figured he was getting when he signed Marquis last year. Well, except better.
Lincecum took the loss despite allowing just three runs in seven innings. Two of those runs happened in the second inning, when Laynce Nix hit a home run to right field, driving home himself and Wilson Ramos. The Nationals added a third run in the fifth inning when Marquis helped his own cause by singling home Ian Desmond.
The Nationals now move to 12-13 on the young season. San Francisco falls to 12-13.