Marlins Walk Off Against Nationals in Ten Innings

Jul 13, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton watches his game-tying home run in the ninth inning against Washington Nationals relief pitcher Rafael Soriano (not pictured) at Marlins Park. The Marlins won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

Just one day after roughing up Nationals starter Stephen Strasburg in just two innings, the Marlins’ offense was significantly less active against Dan Haren. The end result, however, was the same – a victory.

Phenom Jose Fernandez, in his final start before his trip to the All Star Game, pitched six innings, giving up just one run on four hits, while striking out four and walking three. Haren went the same six innings, but held the Marlins scoreless thanks in part to allowing just three hits and striking out seven. It looked as if the Marlins would lose by a slender 1-0 margin – that is, until Giancarlo Stanton decided otherwise.

Facing Nationals closer Rafael Soriano in the first at bat of the bottom of the 9th inning, Stanton hit a 438 foot home run to left field. The rest of the Marlins went down in order, and Steve Cishek came into the game with the hopes of giving the team one more shot.

Cishek got himself into some trouble quickly in the top of the 10th. Pinch hitter Chad Tracy hit a single to right, and Denard Span tried to bunt him to second. Span’s bunt didn’t go far, and Tracy was out at second, leaving the much-speedier Span at first base with one out. Ian Desmond hit a single to right, and, facing Scott Hairston, Cishek threw a wild pitch, giving the Nationals runners at second and third with just one out. Cishek struck out Hairston, and then promptly struck out Ryan Zimmerman to end the inning and the threat.

In the bottom half of the inning, facing Craig Stammen, Adeiny Hechavarria hit a grounder to newly-inserted third baseman Chad Tracy. Tracy came up with a Chuck Knoblauch-like throw, and Hechavarria found himself at second thanks to the error. Stammen walked Jeff Mathis, and Placido Polanco sacrificed the runners to set up the Marlins with runners at second and third  with one out. Stammen intentionally walked Justin Ruggiano to load the bases and set up the force play, and Ed Lucas hit a double play ball to second base to end the inning – only it didn’t. Lucas beat the throw to first base, Hechavarria scored, and the Marlins walked off with their second win over the Nationals in the series.

Up next: The Marlins send Henderson Alvarez to the mound at 1:10 PM in their last game of the first half.