The Washington Nationals defeated the Florida Marlins 6-4 on Monday night, extending their road game winning streak to nine which ties the record for the longest road winning streak in franchise history. The win also puts the Nationals two wins away from finishing for the first time in their history with a above .500 record.
The Nationals and Marlins had kept the game close all through the night, trading runs and leads. Then in the ninth inning Michael Morse stepped to the plate with two men on and the score 4-3 Marlins. Morse jacked an Edward Mujica third-pitch splitter over the wall of Sun Life Stadium for his 30th home run of the year, a three-run blast to give the Nationals the 6-4 lead. Reliever Henry Rodriguez came into the game in the ninth and shut the door on the Fish earning his second save of the season.
Nationals rookie starter Tom Milone lasted only four innings giving up three runs on seven hits, walking one and striking out four.
Earlier in the night, the Nationals and their fans learned that the Cincinnati Reds defeated the New York Mets 6-5 allowing the Washington Nationals to clinch third place in the NL East. It is the highest place in the standings the Nationals have ever laid claim to since baseball returned to Washington D.C. in 2005.
Monday's game was delayed an hour due to rain.