WASHINGTON — Josh Chisholm Jr. hit a three-run homer and the Miami Marlins beat the Washington Nationals 6-1 on Thursday in the opener of a four-run streak.
Jake Burger hit his 28th home run. The Marlins (67-67) enter the race for the last wild-card berth in the National League postseason three games behind San Francisco.
Braxton Garrett (8-5) and three relievers combined for a three-hitter.
Luis Ares hit two singles for Miami and raised his average to .349, the best in the major leagues. The Venezuelan had more than one hit in a game for the 47th time and tied with Seattle’s Julio Rodriguez for third in that category.
Venezuela’s Ronald Acuna Jr. of Atlanta is tied for first with 57, followed by Freddie Freeman of the Los Angeles Dodgers with 54.
Washington lost for the fourth time in five games. He went 17-11 in August, his first positive month of the season.
Garrett (8-5) allowed one run and three hits in six innings.
On the Marlins side, Venezuelan Ares scored a run in a 5-2 victory. Dominicans Brian de la Cruz scored a run of 5-1 RBI and Jesus Sanchez 4-1.
On the national team, Mexican Joey Menezes is 3-0. Gaybert Ruiz of Venezuela is 4-0.
