HOUSTON, July 18 (UPI) -- Ryan Zimmerman singled home the go-ahead run in the ninth inning Monday and the Washington Nationals went on to record a 5-2 win over Houston.
The Nationals tied it 2-2 in the seventh when Zimmerman pounded a solo homer, and he delivered the decisive run two innings later with a single to score Roger Bernadina.
Laynce Nix added a two-run single to complete the late rally and Michael Morse went 3-for-4 with a solo home run for the Nationals, who took the first contest of a three-game series.
Jason Marquis (8-4) hurled 8 1/3 strong innings, yielding a pair of runs on six hits while walking only one and striking out nine. The Nationals' right-hander snapped a personal five-game winless streak with the victory.
Drew Storen struck out the side in the ninth to earn his 25th save.
Astros rookie Jordan Lyles (0-5) remained winless in nine career starts, yielding four runs on five hits in an 8 1/3-inning start.
Carlos Lee and Carlos Corporan each had two hits and an RBI for Houston.
