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 Washington added three more home runs in that inning -- including
a grand slam by Bryce Harper -- in a 7-0 win over Miami on Tuesday
night at Marlins Park.
All seven runs were scored in the seventh, and it is likely none
meant more to Nationals fans than the one slugged by Werth.
"There was a time when I didn't think I'd get to play anymore," said
the 36-year-old Werth, who has been beset by injuries. "You cherish
these moments.
"I'm sure when I look back at my career, it will mean even more."
The Nationals hit four homers in an inning for the first time since
the franchise moved to Washington in 2005. It also was the first
time the Marlins allowed four homers in an inning.
"It happened fast," Marlins left fielder Christian Yelich said of
Washington's explosion.
Conley (0-1) was working on a four-hit shutout before Werth pulled
his solo homer to left-center.
With that blow, Werth became just the fourth player to reach 200
homers while wearing a Nationals uniform, joining Alfonso Soriano,
Adam LaRoche and Ryan Zimmerman.
After Werth went deep, Wilson Ramos homered to left-center on the
next pitch. Harper's grand slam, on an 86 mph breaking pitch from
reliever Chris Narveson, gave Washington a 6-0 lead.
 It was Harper's seventh homer of the season and his fifth in the
past six games. It was also his second grand slam in five days.
The next batter, Zimmerman, capped the inning with a solo homer.
"It was a lot of fun," Harper said of the big inning. "Conley kept
us off balance all night, and then two great at-bats by (Werth and
Ramos)."
Werth said the 23-year-old Harper has come a long way in his
relatively short time in the majors.
"What he's doing is pretty special," Werth said. "He is arguably one
of the best players in the game. From last season on to this year,
he has been really exciting, and I think that is probably an
understatement.
"I wouldn't have given him that type of credit earlier in his
career. But from where I'm sitting, it's fun to watch."
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Washington's power display overshadowed an outstanding effort by
Strasburg (3-0), who pitched eight scoreless innings, allowing three
hits and two walks. He struck out 10 and lowered his ERA to 1.25.
Strasburg also went 2-for-3 at the plate and is hitting .250.
Conley, who struck out eight and walked just one, pitched
brilliantly until Werth got to him. In the first inning, Conley
struck out Harper swinging at a 2-2 curveball with a runner on third
and no outs. In the fourth, Conley again struck out Harper swinging,
this time on a 94 mph fastball.
"Adam was really good," Marlins manager Don Mattingly said. "This
guy pitches like an ace. He was attacking inside. He went after
those guys like he had no fear."
Ultimately, though, Conley was charged with four runs in 6 2/3
innings. Before the seventh, he had pitched 12 consecutive scoreless
frames over two games.
"Stasburg and I were trading punches all night," Conley said. "Their
hitters were waiting for an opportunity. When I let up, they took
it."
NOTES: Miami rested SS Adeiny Hechavarria and started SS Miguel
Rojas, who went 0-for-3. ... Marlins RHP Edwin Jackson (strained
right triceps) was placed on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to
April 18. Jackson had been pitching out of the bullpen. ... To
reinforce its bullpen, Miami recalled RHP Nick Wittgren from
Triple-A New Orleans. He had a 3.38 ERA in four relief appearances
at New Orleans. Wittgren made his major league debut in the seventh
and walked the one batter he faced. ... Marlins OF Ichiro Suzuki
needs one more steal to get 500 for his career. ... Marlins manager
Don Mattingly compared Nationals RF Bryce Harper to former Dodgers
OF Kirk Gibson. Harper, 23, this season became the eighth-youngest
player in major league history to reach the 100-homer milestone. ...
In his second at-bat Tuesday, Harper hit a foul ball that landed in
the open press box.
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