WASHINGTON (AP) -- Clint Robinson and Ian Desmond hit back-to-back home runs, Jordan Zimmermann pitched seven innings and the Washington Nationals beat the Miami Marlins 5-1 on Saturday night.The Nationals pulled within 5 1-2 games of first-place New York in the NL East. The Mets dropped their second straight against the Boston Red Sox, 3-1. Washington gained ground on New York for the first time since Aug. 19.Ryan Zimmerman also homered for the Nationals.Zimmermann (11-8) won his third straight start. He gave up a run and seven hits, while striking out four and walking one. He allowed baserunners in six of seven innings. 
Justin Bour ended Zimmermann's shutout bid with his 12th homer leading off the seventh.Miami starter Tom Koehler (8-13) is still seeking his first win since July 23. He allowed five runs and nine hits over six innings in losing his seventh straight.Koehler did have two hits.Robinson and Desmond connected off Koehler in the sixth. Robinson sliced a two-run shot into the Nationals' bullpen and Desmond, who went 2 for 3, followed with a blast to center, making it 5-0.It was Desmond's 17th home run, 10th since July 20.The Marlins had at least one baserunner in each of the first five innings against Zimmermann, but failed to get any of them home.Zimmerman led off the second with his 12th home run.. He has 24 RBIs in his last 25 gamesWashington made it 2-0 when Anthony Rendon's two-out single scored Danny Espinosa in the third.
Justin Bour ended Zimmermann's shutout bid with his 12th homer leading off the seventh.Miami starter Tom Koehler (8-13) is still seeking his first win since July 23. He allowed five runs and nine hits over six innings in losing his seventh straight.Koehler did have two hits.Robinson and Desmond connected off Koehler in the sixth. Robinson sliced a two-run shot into the Nationals' bullpen and Desmond, who went 2 for 3, followed with a blast to center, making it 5-0.It was Desmond's 17th home run, 10th since July 20.The Marlins had at least one baserunner in each of the first five innings against Zimmermann, but failed to get any of them home.Zimmerman led off the second with his 12th home run.. He has 24 RBIs in his last 25 gamesWashington made it 2-0 when Anthony Rendon's two-out single scored Danny Espinosa in the third.
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