Jose saves his best for not likely last start

MIAMI — Jose Fernandez has reached his innings target, but there appears to be no stopping the right-hander from pushing forward as long as the Marlins are within striking distance of a National League Wild Card spot.

Fernandez made a statement on Tuesday night, matching his career high with eight innings with 12 strikeouts in Miami’s 1-0 win over the Nationals at Marlins Park.

Not only was Fernandez dominant in his three-hitter, but he was also free and easy, which has the club confident he isn’t tiring at 182 1/3 innings.

The club set a plan in Spring Training to keep him in the 180-190-innings range and have him available for the postseason.

“He already had his mind set, three starts,” manager Don Mattingly said. “Obviously, we want to be careful with him, and not for no reason. As long as we’re able to stay in this thing, we feel like he’s going to be able to go out there. That’s why we’ve given him the breaks …

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