MLB: Washington 2, Florida 1

MIAMI, April 15 (UPI) -- Hard-throwing right-hander John Patterson surrendered just three hits and one run in eight-plus innings Saturday as Washington shaded Florida, 2-1.

Royce Clayton was 1-for-4 with an RBI and Damian Jackson, Alfonso Soriano, Brendan Harris and Patterson also had hits for the Nationals (3-9), who broke a six-game losing streak.

The 6-foot-5 inch Patterson (1-0) walked one and tied a career high with 13 strikeouts over eight-plus innings.

Josh Willingham, Chris Aguila and Wes Helms each had a hit, and Helms drove in the lone run for the Marlins (3-7), who had won two straight.

Loser Scott Olsen (0-1) was touched for two runs and four hits in 5 1/3 innings. He had six walks and six strikeouts.