In his three-week Marlins career, Starling Marte has come up with his share of big hits. Perhaps none will be bigger than a ball the veteran outfielder simply put into play.

The play on Marte’s spinning grounder to third base in the sixth inning was ruled an error. No matter, the Marlins will take it, because it produced a two-out run that was the difference in a 2-1 victory over the Nationals in Game 1 of Sunday’s seven-inning doubleheader at Marlins Park.

• Box score

The Marlins (28-24) are striving to hold off the Phillies for second place in the National League East. And with one week to go in the regular season, Miami is enhancing its chances of reaching the postseason for the first time since winning the World Series in 2003.

• Organizational depth helped Marlins land Yimi, Marte

Marlins right-hander Sandy Alcantara allowed one run on five hits and two walks over six innings to beat the Nationals for the first time in six career decisions.

But the final three outs came with plenty of drama. Closer Brandon Kintzler worked out of a second-and-third jam with no out, striking out pinch-hitter Kurt Suzuki with the bases full and two outs.

The Marlins also pulled off a rare victory over Max Scherzer, now 13-5 in his career against Miami.

“I was competing,” Alcantara said. “I was competing against Max. He doesn't want a loss. I don't want a loss. I think we did a great job. We've got to keep doing that and keep fighting.”

With little margin for error, the score was tied in the sixth inning when Marte grinded out his pivotal at-bat against Scherzer.

“It's good to have a guy like [Marte] sitting on your bench,” said Marlins manager Don Mattingly, who had Marte out of the starting lineup in Game 1. “Obviously, we know Scherzer and how good he is, but Starling Marte is a pretty good player.”

Called upon to pinch-hit for Lewis Brinson with the bases full in the sixth inning. Marte worked a 2-2 count against Scherzer, who was showing no signs of slowing down as his pitch count approached 120.

On his 119th and final pitch of the afternoon, Scherzer spun an 84.6 mph slider that Marte chopped to third. Carter Kieboom took a step back to field it, but his throw was short and first baseman Eric Thames was unable to field it cleanly. Kieboom was charged with the error, and Monte Harrison, who pinch-ran for Matt Joyce, scored the decisive run.

Mattingly noted that Harrison’s stolen base set the inning in motion.

“I can come into the game at any point and change the game,” Harrison said. “Whether that's hitting, running, defense, in multiple ways. I know everybody has a role on this team every time we come to the field. We have to accept those roles every time we see that lineup.”

The Nats intentionally walked Miguel Rojas, then Jon Berti drew a walk to load the bases.

“Matt sets it up, getting that hit,” Mattingly said. “Monte goes early, and that's another key. Get that bag early, and now you have some pressure on that guy. Next thing you know, they walk Miggy. They walk Bert.

“Brins is swinging the bat a lot better, but you know you've got a guy like Marte who is an everyday player. We knew we would pinch-hit him there.”

Scherzer worked 5 2/3 innings, struck out six and walked two. Both Marlins runs were unearned.

History has shown the Marlins haven’t had much luck against Scherzer, who entered the game with an ERA of 3.23 in 23 career starts against them. In the first inning, Miami created its own break and took advantage of an error by rookie second baseman Luis García.

Corey Dickerson and Garrett Cooper singled in the first inning, then Joyce chopped a two-out grounder to García, who made a high throw that pulled Thames off the bag. Joyce was safe on the throwing error, and Dickerson scored on the play to give Miami a first-inning lead.

The Nationals pulled even at 1 in the fifth inning, cashing in on two walks by Alcantara. With two outs and the bases loaded, Trea Turner bounced an RBI infield single to third.

But Alcantara was able to minimize trouble and ended his outing at 100 pitches.

“I always say, when I've got men on base, I don't get scared,” the right-hander said. “I believe in my stuff. I found a way to throw a really good pitch to get out of the jam.”