Miami Marlins Fall To The Washington Nationals In Rain Delayed Game, 4-3

Aug 27, 2013; Washington, DC, USA; Miami Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton (27) hits a double during the fourth inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

The Miami Marlins were unable to take advantage of the assistance Mother Nature seemed to be providing them and fell to the Washington Nationals, 4-3.  A rain delay in the bottom of the second inning caused the Nationals to pull starter Stephen Strasburg after just 2 innings pitched.  He had breezed through the Marlins lineup throwing just 22 pitches and striking out 2.

It seemed the Marlins would take advantage of their good fortune as they scored 3 runs on the Nationals bullpen to take the lead in the sixth inning.  Jeff Mathis opened the scoring for the Fishin the top of the 5^th inning with a solo home run to leftcenter field against the first member of the Washington bullpen.

The Marlins tacked on two more runs in the sixth inning, the first coming on a Giancarlo Stanton home run blast the centerfield.  The home run was Stanton’s 17^th on the season and 12^th of his career at Nationals Park, the most by any opposing player.  The Marlins would go on to add 3 more hits in the inning, but would only be able to muster one more run.  Mathis would drive in that run with an RBI single to left.

On the pitching side, Marlins starter Henderson Alvarez was pulled after just 1 and 2/3 innings due to the rain delay, but not before he had surrendered a run in the second.  The Marlins would then be forced to use 4 relievers to finish off the game, but alas the bullpen was unable to hold the lead they had been provided.

Mike Dunn entered the game in the seventh inning an promptly walked the lead off batter before allowing him the reach second base on a botched pickoff attempt at first base.  He went on the retire the next two batters, but then gave up an RBI single that would drive in the go ahead and eventual winning run for the Nationals.

Dunn was credited with the loss for the Marlins falling to 3-4, while Drew Storen got the win for the Nationals improving to 4-2.

Up Next: The Marlins will send Tom Koehler (3-8) to the mound to face off against Gio Gonzalez (7-6) for the Nationals on Thursday.