MIAMI — Brian Anderson tied a franchise record with three homers and drove in seven runs Friday to help the Miami Marlins earn a doubleheader split by beating the Washington Nationals 14-3.
Anderson's third homer was a three-run shot in the sixth inning against infielder-outfielder Brock Holt, pitching in a mop-up role. Anderson also homered leading off the second and hit a three-run shot in the fifth, increasing his season total to nine homers.
Corey Dickerson hit a solo homer for the Marlins, who remained in second place in the NL East as they chase their first playoff berth since 2003.
The Marlins matched their season-high run total after they were shut out in the opener. Erick Fedde allowed one hit in six innings as Washington beat highly touted rookie Sixto Sanchez 5-0.
The Nationals were swinging early in the count against Sanchez (3-2). He had given up a total of six runs in his first five career starts, but allowed eight hits and five runs in four innings, and his ERA rose from 1.69 to 2.75.
Washington was the first opponent to face Sanchez for a second time.
“You don’t want to get deep in counts against that guy," Nationals catcher Yan Gomes said. “He's a tremendous young guy. We were just trying to get something early in the count and do the damage we can.”
Gomes and Luis Garcia each had two hits and scored twice. Andrew Stevenson, recalled before the game from the Nationals’ alternate training site, had a two-run single for his first hit this year.
Fedde (2-3) walked two, hit a batter and matched a career high in innings, lowering his ERA from 5.06 to 4.36.
“I was able to be really effective inside, and it opened up the down and away,” Fedde said. “It’s nice when you can hit your spots consistently and get the calls. A good day.”
Will Harris pitched the seventh to complete the two-hitter.
Anderson joined Mike Lowell (2004) and Cody Ross (2006) as the only Marlins with a three-homer game. But it was Miguel Rojas’ 20-foot RBI dribbler with the bases loaded and two out that helped blow open the nightcap in the third inning.
Pitcher Kyle McGowin gloved the ball and shoveled it to catcher Kurt Suzuki, but the runner was safe. Lewis Brinson followed with a two-run single for a 6-2 lead.
Dickerson had three hits and drove in two runs. Four Marlins pitchers combined on a six-hitter.
Washington’s Wil Crowe (0-2), making his third career start, allowed six runs in 2 1/3 innings.