Nationals 6, Marlins 2: Bryce Harper recorded three hits and scored a run while Gio Gonzalez won for the third time in four starts as visiting Washington defeated Miami in the opener of a four-game series.

Anthony Rendon went 2-for-5 with two runs scored and Kevin Frandsen added a pair of hits and an RBI for the Nationals, who broke the game open by plating five in the fourth inning. Gonzalez (9-10) allowed two runs on six hits and did not walk a batter while striking out five over seven innings.

Jeff Baker collected a pair of hits and an RBI for the Marlins, who have dropped six of their last nine contests. Brad Hand (3-8) permitted six runs - five earned - on eight hits over five innings to lose for the third time in three decisions against the Nationals this season.

Reed Johnson doubled in a run in the second inning for the Marlins and Hand retired the first 10 batters he faced before Rendon’s single ignited the big rally. Wilson Ramos’ long double to center brought home the first run while Ian Desmond, Asdrubal Cabrera and Frandsen registered RBI singles before an error pushed across the last for a 5-1 lead.

Rendon singled with one out in the fifth and came home on Jayson Werth’s double to deep center for his 13th RBI in 12 games against Miami this season. Baker’s RBI infield hit in the sixth pulled the Marlins within 6-2 before the Nationals shut the door, including a perfect ninth from Rafael Soriano.

GAME NOTEBOOK: The Nationals saw their streak of 22 straight road games with at least one homer come to an end, two shy of the record since 1900 set by Baltimore in 1996. … Miami LF Christian Yelich doubled and scored in the sixth inning to extend his hitting streak in home games to 16. … Washington 1B Adam LaRoche was rested for the second straight day due to tight lower back.