Marlins Edge Nationals in Ninth‑Inning Rally
The Miami Marlins turned a modest start into a decisive 6‑2 victory over the Washington Nationals on Tuesday, capitalizing on a six‑run ninth inning that flipped the momentum of the game.
Otto Lopez’s two‑run homer capped the rally, but the surge began with Esteury Ruiz’s timely bunt that set the stage, followed by a double steal involving Marsee that kept the pressure on.
Griffin Conine and Leo Jiménez drew walks, and Tom Cosgrove’s single forced a run, tying the contest at 3‑3 before Joe Mack’s sac‑fly brought Conine home.
Heriberto Hernández’s walk, combined with Marsee’s daring dash to home on a double steal, set up Lopez’s 400‑foot blast that pushed the lead to 6‑2. The homer landed well beyond the fence, underscoring the Marlins’ late‑game firepower.
Starter Janson Junk surrendered just one run on four hits over 4 ⅔ innings, while reliever Dax Fulton earned his first career win with solid relief work.
The Nationals’ offense was hampered early by a defensive miscue from Andrew Pinckney and the loss of second baseman Xavier Edwards, who left with left‑elbow and thumb injuries after a collision on a steal attempt.
Washington’s early lead, 1‑0, came from Nasim Nuñez’s RBI double in the fifth, and Daylen Lile’s sac‑fly in the eighth made it 2‑0 before the Marlins’ comeback.
Pitching notes highlighted Andrew Alvarez’s six‑plus innings of two hits, three walks and six strikeouts, while the upcoming series finale will feature a matchup between Ryan Gusto (1‑3, 3.98 ERA) and Will Dion (1‑1, 3.77 ERA).
CJ Abrams contributed a leaping catch in the sixth, preserving the Nationals’ defense, but the combined errors and injuries proved costly.