Five runs via four long balls weren't enough for the Marlins to win it in regulation. But a double by Greg Dobbs, a heads-up slide home by Infante and Leo's 13th save secured the 6-5 victory in the Marlins' series opener in DC.
Chris Volstad and Tom Gerzelanny had a rematch of their last starts at Sun Life Stadium, but neither pitcher would factor in the decision.
Back-to-back home runs put the Marlins on top 3-0 in the first. After Hanley Ramirez singled, Tom Gorzelanny gave up a two-run shot to Gaby Sanchez, and followed that up with a solo homer to John Buck.
With a three-run lead to work with, Volstad cruised through two innings before the Nats got on the board in the bottom of the third. The ever-pesky Jerry Hairston Jr. singled to lead off, and after a sac bunt by Gorzelanny, back-to-back singles by Roger Bernadina and Ian Desmond plated the run.
The Marlins snatched their run back with a home run crushed by Mike Stanton in the top of the fourth, but in the bottom of the inning, Volsad ran into trouble. With one out, Laynce Nix homered to make it 4-2. Vols walked Danny Espinosa next, and doubles by Hairston and Bernadina tied up the game.
Volstad went six innings, and gave up four runs on eight hits and struck out a season-high seven.
The Fish would regain the lead in the top of the eighth when Logan Morrison welcomed himself back from the DL with a solo shot off of Tyler Clippard.
Too bad Mike Dunn couldn't hold the lead in the bottom of the inning. Dunn walked Jayson Werth and Adam LaRoche to lead off the inning. After Wilson Ramos grounded into a double play, Laynce Nix doubled to tie the game once again.
Drew Storen worked a 1-2-3 ninth and tenth, but against Brian Broderick in the eleventh, the Marlins scored the game-winning run.
Omar Infante had a one-out single, and Gregg Dobbs followed with a double to the right field corner. As Infante raced home, the ball beat him to the plate, but he slid head-first, lifted his left arm to avoid Ramos's tag and stretched to touch the plate with the tip of his finger. Safe.
Leo Nunez took care of the Nats 1-2-3 in the bottom of the 11th, and the Fish get their road trip started off on the right foot with the series opening win.