r down in the seventh spot, the light-hitting Bourjos had three hits and two RBIs after coming in with a .179 ave

MIAMI - As the Washington Nationals prepared to take the field with a three-run lead in the ninth, they braced themselves for another comeback bid by the feisty Miami Marlins. This time the Nationals held on — barely. Drew Storen allowed two runs before securing the final out for his first save since August 2013, and Washington averted a series sweep by snapping Miamis six-game winning streak with a 4-3 victory Wednesday. "Its not always going to be pretty," Storen said. "Its about getting it done. Thats all that matters." Manager Matt Williams decided to rest closer Rafael Soriano, who hasnt pitched since he blew a three-run ninth-inning lead in Washingtons loss Monday. That left Storen to try to finish off the Marlins, who had won nine of their past 10 games to rejoin the playoff race. "Thats a good team over there," the Nationals Ian Desmond said. "In the dugout going out for the bottom of the ninth we were telling each other, Hey, weve got to focus and finish this thing out. For a while weve seen the Marlins getting better. This series was evidence of that. That bottom of the ninth was evidence of that." NL RBI leader Giancarlo Stanton led off the ninth with his 24th homer, and Adeiny Hechavarria doubled home a run. Storen retired Reid Johnson on a forceout with two on for the final out. "I was happy to see us come back and put some pressure on them," Stanton said. "I really envisioned us tying that game up." Tanner Roark (11-6), who allowed one run in seven innings, won his fourth start in a row for the first-place Nationals. "Were pushing toward winning the NL East," Roark said. "Its fun to watch this team, especially when you have four days off and youre watching from the dugout." How did Roark feel watching the bottom of the ninth? "A little nervous," he said with a smile, "but we knew Drew had it on lockdown." Soriano will be available Thursday when Washington plays host to Philadelphia, Williams said. Jayson Werth, back in the lineup after missing one start because of a sore right ankle, put the Nationals ahead to stay with a sacrifice fly in their three-run eighth. Desmond added a two-out, two-run double off A.J. Ramos. Brad Hand (2-3) allowed three runs in seven-plus innings. ON DECK The Nationals begin an eight-game homestand and a four-game series against the Phillies on Thursday, when Gio Gonzalez is scheduled to start against Cliff Lee. Miami opens a four-game home series against Cincinnati on Thursday when Tom Koehler pitches against Johnny Cueto. Koehler is 4-3 with a 2.75 ERA at home this year, and 3-4 with a 4.96 ERA on the road. WORKING THE PHONES With Thursdays trade deadline looming, the Marlins and Nationals are both looking for an upgrade. Thats a change for the Marlins thanks to the recent surge that put them back in the playoff picture. Theyre seeking a starting pitcher, presidential of baseball operations Mike Hill said. "Ten days ago people may have thought we were sellers, and they were coming at us one way. Now its completely 180," Hill said. "Were going to do our best to try to upgrade, but were not going to be foolish. Were not going to be shortsighted." The Nationals are also potential buyers. "Do we want to have somebody thats going to make an impact? Sure," Williams said. "That may not be available. There are some guys were taking a hard look at." MARLINS MOVE Before the game, Marlins infielder Ed Lucas was recalled from Triple-A New Orleans. He had been sent down July 20. "I must be a pretty bad teammate if as soon as Im gone they rattle off nine out of 10," Lucas said with a chuckle. "It kind of makes you question yourself a little bit." JT Riddle Jersey . -- The Kelowna Rockets earned their 16th straight win with a 7-2 rout of the Portland Winterhawks in Western Hockey League action Thursday. Jeff Locke Jersey . Those who impressed in each of the three events were asked to attend the main CFL Combine which begins Friday in Toronto. http://www.marlinsteamproshop.com/Marlin...on-Kids-Jersey/. Gordon reportedly failed another drug test and is facing a one-year ban. Gordon led the NFL in yards receiving last season despite being suspended two games for violating the leagues substance-abuse policy. Bryan Holaday Jersey . The Blueshirts hope to stay alive once again when they host the Pittsburgh Penguins in Sundays Game 6 battle at Madison Square Garden. Jose Fernandez Jersey . Peko, a fourth-round pick in 2006, started all 16 games and a playoff loss to San Diego last season. He was second on the line with 72 tackles and had a career-high three sacks.ATLANTA -- Adam Wainwright was dominant on the mound. He wasnt too shabby at the plate, either. Wainwright pitched eight strong innings and helped himself offensively, outscoring Atlanta all by himself to lead the St. Louis Cardinals past the Braves 7-1 on Wednesday night. Matt Holliday drove in three runs and Peter Bourjos homered for the Cardinals. Wainwright (6-2) bounced back from his worst start of the season, having surrendered 10 hits and six runs to the Chicago Cubs. He had no trouble against the struggling Braves, holding them to six hits and striking out six. He was lifted after 103 pitches. But that was only part of the story. Wainwright had two hits to raise his average to .400 on the season, and came around to score both times. "He said he was going to impress some people offensively," manager Mike Matheny said. One night after breaking a seven-game losing streak, their longest in nearly two years, the Braves returned to a familiar pattern. Freddie Freemans third-inning single drove home the lone run for an offensively challenged team that has scored more than four runs only once in its last 16 games. Atlanta went 2-for-10 with runners in scoring position and was held to one run or fewer for the 13th time this season. "We thought we had a little momentum after last night, then we run into a brick wall," Braves third baseman Chris Johnson said. "Hes tough. It seems like every time you go up there, he throws you something different in a different spot." Bourjos hit his first homer of the season with two outs in the second off Mike Minor. Wainwright led off the third with a double and came around to score. Holliday blew it open with a two-out, two-run single in the fourth. Minor (0-2) lasted just 4 1-3 innings, roughed up for 11 hits and six runs in his second start back after starting the season on the disabled list. Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said Minor had trouble with his breaking pitches. Minor disagreeed, saying he got sloppy with the command on his fastball the second time through the order.dddddddddddd Whatever the case, the Cardinals seemed to know what was coming. "It was not a very good performance by the guy on our side, and a really good performance by the guy on their side," Gonzalez said. "Thats the result you get." Minor ran into trouble throughout the Cardinals lineup. Up top, leadoff hitter Matt Carpenter reached base four times on three hits and a walk, scored twice and drove in a run. Holliday had three hits in the third spot, knocking in the final run with a single in the ninth off Luis Avilan. Further down in the seventh spot, the light-hitting Bourjos had three hits and two RBIs after coming in with a .179 average, including a drive into the seats in left-centre for his first career NL homer. Then there was Wainwright, one of the games better-hitting pitches, doing plenty of damage in the nine hole. The Braves went down meekly after their last threat in the sixth, when they failed to take advantage of runners at first and third with one out. Wainwright retired the last eight hitters he faced and wanted to go back out for a shot at his second complete game. Matheny made it clear his pitcher was done. "He had had enough of me," Wainwright quipped. NOTES: RHP David Hale, who lost his spot in the Atlanta rotation when Minor returned from the DL, retired all eight hitters he faced after taking over in the fifth. ... Braves RHP Ervin Santana threw in the bullpen with no problems after missing a start because of an injured thumb. He will start Saturday against the Cubs. ... Matheny gave struggling 1B Allen Craig the day off and started Matt Adams. "When youre not right, youre not right," Matheny said, hoping a couple of days off would help Craig snap out of it. ... Both teams are off Thursday. The Cardinals will next play a weekend series at Pittsburgh, while the Braves are hosting the Cubs. Cheap Buffalo Sabres Gear Wholesale Calgary Flames Jerseys Cheap Adidas Colorado Avalanche Jerseys Montreal Canadiens Outlet Store Wholesale New Jersey Devils Jerseys Adidas Arizona Coyotes Jerseys Cheap Adidas Boston Bruins Jerseys Cheap Adidas Carolina Hurricanes Jerseys Chicago Blackhawks Shop Free Shipping Wholesale Columbus Blue Jackets Jerseys Dallas Stars Shop Free Shipping Cheap Adidas Detroit Red Wings Jerseys Anaheim Ducks Jerseys China Wholesale Edmonton Oilers Jerseys Florida Panthers Shop Free Shipping Wholesale Los Angeles Kings Jerseys Minnesota Wild Outlet Store Cheap Adidas Nashville Predators Jerseys Cheap Adidas New York Islanders Jerseys New York Rangers Winter Classic Jerseys Cheap Adidas Ottawa Senators Jerseys Cheap Adidas Philadelphia Flyers Jerseys Wholesale Pittsburgh Penguins Jerseys Cheap Adidas San Jose Sharks Jerseys St. Louis Blues Winter Classic Jerseys Wholesale Tampa Bay Lightning Jerseys Toronto Maple Leafs Outlet Store Vancouver Canucks Outlet Store Cheap Adidas Vegas Golden Knights Jerseys Cheap Adidas Washington Capitals Jerseys Cheap Adidas Winnipeg Jets Jerseys ' ' '