Slow-starting Nats break out behind Gio in Miami

The Nats beat the Marlins, 6-2, on Thursday night, improving to an National League-best 88-64, two games ahead of the NL West-leading Dodgers. The Nationals didn’t get much going early against Marlins starter Brad Hand — getting off to an 0-for-10 start — until Anthony Rendon pulled a single through the left side of the infield with one out in the fourth inning. That’s when Washington took advantage of several Miami miscues to take a four-run lead.