Joey Meneses hit a two-run single in the top of the eighth inning to break a 1-1 tie and lead the Washington Nationals past the Miami Marlins 3-1 in the opener of this four-game series tonight at Loan Depot Park. 

Meneses, who is hitting almost .400 with seven RBI's over the last week, also drove in the Nats' 1st run on a double-play groundout in the sixth. Derek Law pitched two innings of scoreless relief, striking out five to pick up the win in back of starter Trevor Williams, who pitched five solid innings. 

Nick Fortes hit a bloop single to drive in Vidal Brujan with Miami's only run. The Marlins' offense has scored three or more runs in only 8 of their 26 games so far this season. Anthony Maldonado made his career debut in an emergency start for Miami, coming up from AAA to replace Jesus Luzardo, who was scratched due to elbow soreness. 

The Fish have lost four games in a row, and seven of their last nine to fall to just 6-20 on the season, the second-worst record in baseball behind the Chicago White Sox. 

The two teams play again Saturday, with Edward Cabrera, 1-0, on the mound for Miami, taking on Washington's Mitchell Parker, 2-0. 

We'll be right here with your Locked on Marlins: POSTCAST right after the game.