Miami Marlins unleash a weekend worth of frustration on the Nationals

After falling behind by six runs to the first place Washington Nationals, the Miami Marlins battled back and won the game in walk-off fashion.

After a weekend that included two walk-off losses, the Miami Marlins took out their frustration on the Washington Nationals on Monday night. It took a team effort, but the Marlins rallied back from a huge six run deficit and won the game with only one out to spare.

Starter Justin Nicolino was chased after three ineffective innings and the Marlins appeared to be on the ropes. But after putting together a number of good at bats against Nationals starter Tanner Roark, the Marlins assured that the Washington bullpen would need to do just as much heavy-lifting.

In the end, it was a combination of long-balls, small-ball, and a few lucky breaks for the Miami Marlins.

It’s been a struggle for the team lately. It’s felt as if every head of steam has been cut short by consecutive heart-breaking losses. That was the case this weekend, as the Marlins entered an away series in Atlanta hoping for a series sweep. That failed to materialize.

This time it was the Marlins that did the walking off. After falling behind early, it didn’t appear as if a victory would be conceivable after the first two innings.

Harper connected for a two-run home run in the first inning. 2-0 Nationals. Rendon connected for a solo shot in the second, 3-0 Nationals. A series of well-hit balls by the Nationals added three more in the third. Meanwhile, Tanner Roark cruised through his first two innings.

That all came to a screeching halt in the bottom of the third inning. While using only three of their allotted outs in the game, the Marlins battled back and tied it at six.

Brand new ballgame

Tanner Roark wouldn’t make it through the third inning. His line was ugly after departing: 2.2 innings, six hits, accounting for six runs. Only one of those was a home run, but it happened to be a bases loaded grand slam to Justin Bour.

It was a brand new ballgame and the Miami Marlins were playing with a renewed sense of confidence. They’d need it.

The Fish would need to play catch up one more time. The bullpen did a serviceable enough job. Vance Worley surrendered their only run in two innings of work. Jarlin Garcia relieved him in the fifth, inheriting and stranding a runner on second base.

McGowan, Barraclough, and Ramos would combine to shut the Nationals lineup down the rest of the way.

But the Marlins still trailed, 7-6. That’s when Giancarlo Stanton tied the ballgame with one swing of the bat.

7-7. The Miami Marlins had managed to battle back again.

Entering the bottom of the ninth, Marcell Ozuna found himself at the plate with the bases loaded and two outs. The All-Star game hopeful delivered in the clutch. After working an impressive at bat, he launched the ball over the head of Nationals center fielder Michael Taylor.

Taylor had played sound defense to that point, gunning down Christian Yelich at third, and Derek Dietrich at second. This one was just beyond the reach of his glove, and the Miami Marlins capped their improbable, and impressive walk-off victory. A signature win by the ball club.

Looking ahead

The Fish get to bask tonight, but tomorrow it’s back to work. They need to take the next two games from the Nationals. They’ll trot Edinson Volquez out tomorrow. He’ll face off against left-handed Miami native Gio Gonzalez.

Next: Marlin Maniac interview with Glenn Geffner, part II

Volquez struggled his last time out, and will look to bounce back against one of the National Leagues most electric offenses. After an impressive victory like the one on Monday night, the Miami Marlins might be starting to stake their claim in that conversation as well.