Miami Marlins Fall To The Washington Nationals In A Wild One, 10-7

Apr 9, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Miami Marlins catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia (39) hits a home run during the seventh inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. The Nationals won 10-7. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

The Miami Marlins and Washington Nationals took a crazy roller coaster ride Wednesday night at Nationals Park.  The two teams played a 4 hour game that saw multiple lead changes and multiple umpire replay challenges.  In the end the Marlins bullpen gave up a big hit at the worst time and the Nationals came out on top 10-7.

Things looked good in the early going for the Marlins as they jumped out to an early 5-0 lead after two innings.  Giancarlo Stanton and Christian Yelich each had RBI singles and Garrett Jones contributed a sacrifice fly, but the big blow was a 2 run home run by second baseman Derek Dietrich.  The home run caromed back onto the field and was initially ruled in play by the umpiring crew.  Following a replay it was confirmed that the ball had crossed the fence and ruled a home run.

Spot starter Brad Hand held the Nationals scoreless for the first 3 innings before giving up a massive 3 run home run to Bryce Harper in the fourth that would end his night.  The Nationals would score 3 more times in the ensuing innings to take a 6-5 lead going into the seventh when the Marlins would tie the game off a Jarrod Saltalamacchia home run.  The homer was Saltalamacchia’s first as a Marlin.

In the eighth the Marlins would take a 7-6 lead on an RBI double by Jones and it looked like a comeback victory was brewing for the Fish.  Unfortunately, reliever Carlos Marmol was unable to hold the Nationals in their half of the eighth.  Marmol loaded the bases by allowing a hit batter, a bunt single, and an intentional walk before surrendering a grand slam home run off the bat of Nationals outfielder Jayson Werth.  With a 10-7 lead going into the ninth, the Nationals bullpen would shut the door on the Marlins hopes for a victory.

Heroes & Zeroes:

W- Tyler Clippard (1-1): 1 IP, 1 ER, 1 H, 2 BB, 2 K

L – Marmol (0-1): 1 IP, 4 ER, 2 H, 1 BB, 1 HBP, 0 K

Big Fish of the Game – Chrisitian Yelich 3-for-4, 3 R, 1 RBI, 2 BB

The two teams face off in the series finale on Thursday at 4:05pm from Nationals Park.  The Marlins will throw Tom Koehler (1-0) against the Nationals Stephen Strasburg (0-1).