Miami Marlins Drop Series Opener to Nats at Home

The Miami Marlins hosted the Washington Nationals with 7,512 in attendance at Marlins Park on Friday night. They were coming into the game after an off day and a series win over the New York Mets.

Starting pitcher José Ureña was good for the most part, striking out seven in six innings. He did give up a pair of two-run homers, and left the game trailing, 4-2. Fortunately, he would not notch a National League best (worst) eighth loss for the Miami Marlins.

Michael A. Taylor smacked his fourth home run of the season in the second inning for an early Nationals lead. In the bottom of the fourth, Miguel Rojas got those runs back on a line drive two-RBI single into center field.

Opposing starter Max Scherzer came into the contest with a 7-1 record, a 1.78 ERA, and a 0.853 WHIP, with 104 strikeouts in 65 2/3 innings. He only struck out four Miami Marlins in six innings of work on Friday. Even though he left the game tied at four, he was credited with his NL leading eighth win of the season.

Getting Left Behind

Matt Adams took Ureña deep for another two-run shot in the top of the sixth inning, his 12th of the season. The bottom of the frame would see the Miami Marlins bravely striking back.

It was Derek Dietrich‘s fifth home run of the season. Dietrich currently sits in 22nd on Miami’s all-time leaderboard with 49 home runs. Ureña walked one batter and surrendered five hits for his four runs allowed. For a change, the Marlins gave him a little run support. They had only crossed the plate 22 times in his first 10 starts. They scored five on Friday. 

Ureña was replaced for the seventh inning by normally dependable Nick Wittgren (2-1, 2.30). Wittgren failed to retire a single batter, allowing two hits and two walks for three earned runs. Adam Conley came into the contest to snuff out the rally. After allowing one hit for two RBI (penalized to Wittgren), he intentionally walked a batter, struck out Adams, and induced a double play ball to close the frame. 

Trailing 7-4, Brian Anderson hit an RBI-double into center field to close the gap back to two runs,

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but the Miami Marlins would fail to score again. The Nationals used four pitchers to get through the inning. Tim Collins, Wander Suero, Sammy Solís, and Brandon Kintzler each took the hill in the frame. 

In the eighth inning, reliever Odrisamer Despaigne was a little snake bit. He pitched well in his first appearance since coming off the disabled list, but surrendered two unearned runs on two hits and a walk. He did strike Taylor out with this stinky cheese:

Sean Doolittle came into the game to close the door on the Miami Marlins with a five out save, his 10th of the season. Don’t fret too much though. Scherzer is the best pitcher they have, and has won the last two Cy Young Awards to boot. Saturday will see the Marlins get to take on Tanner Roark before drawing strikeout artist Stephen Strasburg on Sunday.

Next: Miami Marlins Take Two-of-Three From Mets

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