Jorge Alfaro blasted a three-run homer and Miguel Rojas added a two-run shot as the host Miami Marlins beat the Washington Nationals 7-5 on Thursday night.

Miami rookie Bryan De La Cruz went 3-for-4, raising his batting average to .353, and Dylan Floro got the last out for his sixth save of the year. The Marlins won their second straight contest following a season-high-tying, eight-game losing streak.

Juan Soto hit a two-run homer for the Nationals, his 21st long ball of the year. The ball traveled 114.1 mph, the hardest-hit homer of his career. Washington lost for the fourth time in five games.

Marlins starter Elieser Hernandez (1-1) earned his first win of an injury-plagued season. Hernandez, in just his fifth appearance of the year, allowed six hits, one walk and two runs (one earned) in five innings. He struck out four.

Washington's Patrick Corbin (7-13) lost for the eighth time in his past 10 decisions. He lasted just three innings, allowing four hits, two walks and six runs while fanning three.

Corbin's troubles began right away as Miami opened the scoring with a four-run first inning. Brian Anderson stroked an RBI single with two outs, and Alfaro golfed his three-run homer 417 feet to center.

The Marlins increased their lead to 6-0 in the second as De La Cruz singled and scored on Rojas' 406-foot homer to left. Rojas is hitting .433 with three homers and seven RBIs in 30 career at-bats against Corbin.

Washington loaded the bases with one out in the fourth. However, Hernandez escaped the jam without any damage by striking out Tres Barrera and getting pinch hitter Lane Thomas on a foul pop.

The Nationals got on the board in the fifth. Alcides Escobar lofted a shallow fly with one out, and the ball fell after a collision between center fielder Lewis Brinson and left fielder De La Cruz. Soto followed his 433-foot homer to right.

Brinson, who sustained a sprained left thumb, was immediately replaced in center by Magneuris Sierra. To add insult to the injury, Brinson was charged with a rather harsh error.

Miami got one back in the bottom of the fifth as Sierra reached on an error, stole second and scored on Anderson's two-out, jam-shot single to right.

Washington cut its deficit to 7-3 in the sixth. Carter Kieboom was credited with a double when Sierra took a couple of steps in on a drive over his head. Kieboom eventually scored on a double-play grounder.

In the ninth, Washington got an RBI single from Josh Bell and a run-scoring groundout from Yadiel Hernandez. Floro entered with two on and two outs, and he retired Riley Adams on a pop fly to seal the win.

--Field Level Media