WASHINGTON, Sept. 8 (UPI) -- Miguel Cabrera and Juan Pierre knocked in three runs each Thursday night as the Florida Marlins topped Washington, 8-4.
The Marlins jumped on Washington starter John Patterson for five runs in the fifth inning to put the contest on ice. Winning pitcher Josh Beckett and Matt Treanor had one RBI each.
Beckett rose to 13-8, holding the Nationals to two runs on six hits over 6 2/3 innings. He had not won since Aug. 18 against San Diego, and was 0-2 with a no-decision in his last three starts.
Florida has won five of its last seven.
Jose Guillen, Brandon Watson, Ryan Zimmerman and Cristian Guzman each drove in a run for the Nationals, who now have a three-game losing streak.
Loser John Patterson dropped to 8-5. He was tagged for nine hits and seven runs over just 4 2/3 innings with three walks and four strikeouts.
