MLB: Washington 1, Seattle 0

WASHINGTON, June 23 (UPI) -- Danny Espinosa scored on Laynce Nix's sacrifice fly in the ninth inning Thursday, giving the Washington Nationals a 1-0 interleague victory over Seattle.

Washington, which has won 11 of its last 12 games, swept the three-game series with the Mariners.

The Nationals loaded the bases with two singles and a fielder's choice to open the bottom of the ninth off Chris Ray (3-2). Seattle got a force out at home on a nice play by Seattle shortstop Jack Wilson.

Nix, pinch-hitting, then sent a fly to medium left field and Espinosa was able to score when the throw was off line.

That made a winner of Tyler Clippard (1-0), who pitched a one-hit ninth. He struck out two after Justin Smoak had doubled with one out.

Both starting pitchers were sharp. Seattle's Michael Pineda allowed four hits and one walk over seven innings and Jason Marquis had a three-hitter with three walks through eight.