The Washington Nationals offense has been completely unable to figure out Florida Marlins pitcher Anibal Sanchez. Through five-innings Sanchez has kept the Nationals baffled and hitless while the Marlins have been slowly chipping away at Nats pitcher Livan Hernandez. The Fish lead 6-0 going into the sixth-inning.
Hernandez has not looked sharp. Marlins third baseman Greg Dobbs has contributed two of Florida's runs. In the second-inning Dobbs hit a double off Hernandez to score Gaby Sanchez. Dobbs then singled in Sanchez again in the fourth-inning. In the bottom of the fifth Hernandez ran into trouble again and allowed an RBI single to Hanley Ramirez. Gaby Sanchez then smashed a three-run home run in the fifth to put this game well in the Marlins hands. Hernandez has given up six runs on eight hits and has issued two walks.
On the other side of the plate the Nationals have yet to score a hit off Anibal Sanchez which is a sign the Nats offensive woes have returned. For the second day in a row the Nats are using a different line-up than usual. Recently called up outfielder Roger Bernadina continues to lead off, Laynce Nix is batting third and Michael Morse has returned to the line-up after missing two games with a sore knee.