The Washington Nationals dropped the second game of Friday's doubleheader against the Marlins, 5-2. Nats starter Gio Gonzalez was pitching well and cruising through the first five innings before things came apart in the top of the sixth. The Fish strung five hits together in the sixth to put a three-spot up on the board, creating a lead they would not relinquish. Carlos Lee came through with a two-run single and Greg Dobbs followed that up with a single to left that scored Jose Reyes. Gonzalez gave up four straight two-out singles in the inning. He finished his night with 10 strikeouts in eight innings of work but the offense could not counter against Josh Johnson after the sixth inning Miami rally.
Johnson pitched 8.2 innings, giving up just five hits and one earned run. He struck out nine Nats en route to his seventh win of the season. Ryan Zimmerman brought home Stephen Lombardozzi in the first inning on a sacrifice fly, but Johnson would completely settle in after that.
Jordan Zimmermann will now take the ball for Davey Johnson on Saturday to try and get Washington back on track.
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