"The Marlins signed pitcher Javier Vazquez to a one-year deal worth $7 million, and early in the season it appeared like the money may have been wasted.

Vazquez, 35, was 3-7 with a 6.85 on June 16, had given up 19 runs in his last four starts, and seemed like his 14-year career might be careening to a close.

But Vazquez has turned things around since then, and picked up his third win in his last four starts Wednesday with a solid performance that helped the Marlins beat Washington 7-5 at Nationals Park.

Vazquez allowed one run on six hits in seven innings, and is now 7-9 with a 5.10 ERA.

"I felt good out there today, I had a good fastball and the guys scored enough runs," said Vazquez, who threw 111 pitches.

"Vazquez has been steady since I have been here," said Jack McKeon, who took over as Marlins manager on June 20.

In a battle of veteran hurlers, Vazquez was sharp while the Nationals Livan Hernandez, 36, was chased after giving up four runs in four innings.

Wednesday's win was the fourth straight for the Marlins, and it pushed Washington deeper into the basement of the National League East, where the Marlins had dwelled for 41 days before beating Washington 11-2 Tuesday in the first game of the three-game series."