MIAMI -- If only Jose Fernandez could start 30 or more home games.

Unfortunately for the Miami Marlins, that's not going to come close to happening. But when he does pitch at home, Fernandez has been unbeatable.

That was the case again Saturday night as Fernandez improved to a record-tying 16-0 at home, defeating the Washington Nationals 2-0 at Marlins Park.

Fernandez's career ERA in 25 home starts is 1.11.

"He brings excitement every time he goes out on the mound," Marlins manager Dan Jennings said of Fernandez, who pitched for the first time since going down with a biceps injury Aug. 7. "Big night for him -- it was good to have him back."

The Marlins also got four innings of stellar relief work, including A.J. Ramos' fourth save in his last four games.

Ramos, who has 27 saves on the season, ended the game by stranding a runner on third with one out, striking out second baseman Danny Espinosa, right fielder Bryce Harper and left fielder Jayson Werth in succession.

But the night belonged to Fernandez, even though he was too humble to take credit.

"I'm happy -- walking off the mound healthy is always great," Fernandez said. "Our relievers did a great job."

The only other pitchers in major-league history to start their careers 16-0 at home were Johnny Allen (1932-33) and LaMarr Hoyt (1980-82). But of the three, only Fernandez earned his 16 wins exclusively as a starter.

Fernandez pitched five scoreless innings, holding the Nationals to two singles and one walk. He struck out seven and could have gone deeper in the game if not a pitch limit - he threw 69.

He had little trouble against the Nationals, who did not get a runner past second base against him. The only mini-rally against Fernandez was in the first, when Washington had runners on first and second with two outs. But shortstop Ian Desmond flew out to the edge of the warning track in center.

"Tonight was an example of a really good pitcher (Fernandez), and we couldn't get anything going," Nationals manager Matt Williams said. "Breaking balls for strikes early -- he had a really good fastball, too. He reached back when he needed to."

Fernandez, sporting a new blue glove, struck out at least one batter in every inning, including a called strike three on Harper, who stared at a 99-mph fastball.

Harper, who finished 1-for-4, was also doubled off first base in the fourth on a lineout to shortstop by Desmond.

Marlins fans taunted the Nationals' biggest star throughout the game, chanting: "Harper! Harper!"

Miami opened the scoring in the fourth. Center fielder Christian Yelich led off with a double and scored on a two-out single to right by catcher J.T. Realmuto, whose line drive barely got past the diving attempt of Espinosa.

The Marlins needed four hits to score one run in the fifth, extending their lead to 2-0. The RBI single was by first baseman Justin Bour, who beat reliever Sammy Solis by going to the opposite field in a lefty-vs.-lefty matchup.

Miami's bullpen took it from there as Kyle Barraclough, Raudel Lazo, Bryan Morris and Ramos completed the shutout.

Perhaps Ramos' biggest out came when he struck out Harper on an 82-mph breaking pitch with one out and a runner on third in the ninth.

"The first two (strikes) were changeups," Williams said of Harper's check swings. "The last one was a breaking ball. He just didn't give him anything to hit.

"I don't think (Harper is getting frustrated). The secret to his success is patience. And tonight, on that last at-bat, he got a little bit out of that."

After Harper, Ramos then struck out Werth on a 94-mph fastball to end the game.

The Marlins (61-81) have won four straight and nine of their past 11 games. Washington (71-70) has lost five straight, falling out of serious contention in the NL East.

Right-hander Tanner Roar (4-5) started for Washington but lasted only 4 2/3 innings, allowing eight hits and two runs. The bullpen did its job, but with the division-leading New York Mets winning again, the Nationals fell 9 1/2 games out of first place.

"It's only human nature to say, 'Well, this wasn't our year,'" said Williams, whose team won an NL-best 96 games last year, taking the division by 17 games. "But you have to fight against that. We have to finish our season as strong as we can finish."

NOTES: Nationals RHP Drew Storen (fractured right thumb) is likely out for the season. He suffered the injury on Wednesday after slamming his locker in frustration following a loss to the New York Mets. Storen did not disclose the injury initially, but it was revealed on Saturday. ... Storen is 0-2 with a 9.22 ERA in his past 15 outings. ... Nationals 3B Yunel Escobar (stomach virus) was a late scratch, replaced by 2B Danny Espinoza in the lineup. Anthony Rendon shifted from 2B to 3B. ... RHP Jose Fernandez, whose career high in innings pitched is 172 2/3, expects to meet with his agent, Scott Boras, his doctor and the Marlins in the offseason to discuss a workload plan for 2016. Expect Fernandez, who had Tommy John surgery last year, to be capped at about 175 innings. ... Marlins manager Dan Jennings is a candidate for the Phillies' GM opening, according to reports. ... Washington recalled RHP Taylor Jordan from Triple-A.