The Washington Nationals (79-51) defeated the visiting Miami Marlins 11-2 led by an outstanding performance from starter right-handed pitcher Max Scherzer, who improved to 13-5.
Scherzer returned after spending 10 days on the disabled list and pitched seven innings, striking out 10 batters, allowing five hits and just one earned run.
Jayson Werth had a two-run homer against starter Jose Urena in the fourth inning and a triple as he drove in three runs to help the Nationals win the third of their last four games.
Howie Kendrick had a triple, scored two runs and drove in three runs as the Nationals increased the lead in the N.L East over the Marlins to 13 games.
Urena took the loss to fall to 12-6 as he pitched four innings, stroke four batters, allowing five hits and earning four runs. The lone run for the Marlins came via a Christian Yelich solo homer.
Washington trails only the Los Angeles Dodgers (91-38) in the National League as they have won six of their last 10.
It was the Marlins first loss in the last five games. Miami has won seven of their last 10 and will face the Nationals twice more on the road before heading home to play the Philadelphia Phillies.
In Kansas, the Tampa Bay Rays routed the Royals 12-0, who have lost five straight and failed to score a run for their fourth straight game.
The Baltimore Orioles defeated the Seattle Mariners 7-6 at home for their fifth straight win. The Mariners, on the other hand, lost their third straight game and are 1-4 in their last five.
In New York, the Cleveland Indians defeated Yankees 6-2, led by starter Corey Kluber (13-4) and a pair of home runs by Dominican third baseman Jose Ramirez.
Kluber earned the win after pitching eight outstanding innings, striking out seven, allowing just three hits and earning two runs.
Despite striking out nine batters in 6.2 innings, Luis Severino took the loss for the Yankees as he allowed three solo homers and four runs to fall to 11-6
