Dunn hits two-run homer in six-run eighth to give Nats win

Dunn’s eighth-inning homer gives Nats victory

WASHINGTON — Adam Dunn capped a six-run eighth-inning rally with a two-run homer that gave the Washington Nationals a come-from-behind 6-4 victory over the Florida Marlins Tuesday night.

Dunn struck out in his first three at-bats before lining a 3-2 pitch from Dan Meyer over the left-field fence, breaking a 4-4 tie. The Nationals were trailing, 4-0, heading into the eighth and hadn’t gotten a base runner since the first inning as Florida starter Josh Johnson retired 20 consecutive batters.

But the Nationals got four straight hits to start the inning. Pinch-hitter Ronnie Belliard’s two-run double was the final one, and that ended Johnson’s night.

Nyjer Morgan followed with an RBI groundout off Renyel Pinto before Cristian Guzman tied the game with a single to right off Kiko Calero.

Meyer came on and got the second out before Dunn belted his 28th homer. He also hit a homer in Monday’s 8-4 victory over the Pirates.

Ron Villone (4-5) got the victory in relief. Mike MacDougal came on in the ninth for his ninth save.

The Nationals’ victory ended a 10-game losing streak against Florida dating back to last season. The Marlins had won all nine games this season.

Florida took an early lead on an RBI single from former National Nick Johnson in the first and added solo homers from Cody Ross and Johnson in the fourth to make it 3-0. Jeremy Hermida had an RBI single in the seventh to make it 4-0 before Washington rallied.

NOTES: Washington recorded an unusual force play in the first inning when Morgan threw out Nick Johnson at third. Johnson had to hesitate when Jorge Cantu lined a shot to center, and when the ball bounced, Morgan had plenty of time to make the throw to third. … The Nationals held out 3B Ryan Zimmerman due to a sore shoulder; he’s day-to-day. … Guzman’s single stretched his hitting streak to 11 games. … Dan Uggla of Florida reached in all five plate appearances, with four walks plus an infield single.