Jesus Aguilar hit a two-run home run and Avisail Garcia also drove in two runs as the Miami Marlins maintained their stronghold on the host Washington Nationals with a 5-3 victory Saturday.

The Marlins never trailed on the way to winning for the 10th time in 11 meetings this season.

Starter Daniel Castano was the winning pitcher, with only one of the three runs allowed being charged as earned. Castano (1-1) was done after surrendering Juan Soto's home run to lead off the bottom of the sixth, but he ended up with his first victory in the major leagues since April 2021.

Tanner Scott worked the bottom of the ninth for the second night in a row to post his ninth save. He completed a seven-hitter that involved five pitchers.

Washington starter Jackson Tetreault (2-2) gave up four runs in four innings as the rookie was denied a third consecutive win. He was hurt by five walks, while three of the four hits he allowed went for extra bases.

Aguilar's 10th home run of the season was a two-run shot that opened the scoring in the first inning.

Tres Barrera hit a two-run single to tie the score in the second inning.

Miami scored a run in each of the next two innings. Garcia's fielder's choice grounder provided a run in the third and Miguel Rojas' sacrifice fly supplied a run in the fourth.

Soto's 15th home run of the season brought the Nationals within one, but the Marlins answered in the seventh on Garcia's run-scoring single.

Aguilar had two of Miami's seven hits. Lane Thomas had two hits for Washington.

Miami's Jon Berti increased his majors-best total of stolen bases to 25. He walked to lead off the game and stole second before scoring on Aguilar's homer.

The Marlins have won the first two games of the four-game series.

--Field Level Media