Jon Lester hit seven scoreless innings and hit a home run, Juan Soto hit a pair of home runs and the Washington Nationals beat the Miami Marlins 18-1 on Monday.
Lester (3-4) had his longest performance of the season in which he allowed six hits, struck out seven and did not walk. The pitcher had his fourth career homers as well as a single for his fourth game in which he had at least two hits.
Soto continued his fiery rhythm after the All-Star Game: went 3-for-4, produced five runs and scored three. With his 17-10 batting, he has a .588 ERA with five homers, 11 RBIs and eight runs scored in four games since the break.
Trea Turner drove in four with a home run and hit a triple for Washington, which started a six-game shootout against the Marlins, who are in last place, and the Baltimore Orioles.
Ross Detwiler (1-1), who was the starter between the Miami relievers, was removed from the mound in the second inning when he had no out: allowed eight runs and seven hits, four of them home runs.
For the Marlins, the Venezuelans Miguel Rojas 4-3, one scored, one RBI; Jesús Aguilar 3-0 and Sandy León 1-0. The Dominican Magneuris Sierra 1-1. Colombian Jorge Alfaro 4-1. Puerto Rican Isan Díaz 1-0.
For the Nationals, Venezuelans AEscobar led 3-2, three scored, and Gerardo Parra 5-3, two scored, one produced. Juan Soto from 4-3, three runs scored, five RBIs. The Cuban Yadiel Hernández 1-1, one scored, one RBI.