Miami Marlins washed out by Nationals

The Miami Marlins were hoping to build on a stretch which had seen them go 14-12 after starting the season  5-17. Instead, they dropped three straight to the interdivisional rival Washington Nationals.

Pitching

With 11,651 on hand with the roof closed at Marlins Park, Elieser Hernández (0-2, 2.50) started and got through the first three innings cleanly. He matched opposing strikeout artist Stephen Strasburg (6-4, 3.13) until the fourth inning. Strasburg struck out eight. Speaking of artists of the mound, check out this article about Pablo Lopez.

Hernandez allowed two earned runs on six hits, striking out three and not allowing a walk. It was the third start (of three) where he pitched exactly five innings. Jarlin Garcia came in to pitch the sixth and seventh, and was racked for three earned runs on four hits and two walks. His in-game WHIP of 3.000 matched precisely his worst appearance of the campaign. That was eight days ago in Atlanta, in the only live Miami Marlins game that yours truly has ever been to. But I digress.

Tayron Guerrero pitched a scoreless eighth, allowing one hit but not getting anyone out via strikeout. The fireballer has only collected three strikeouts in his last eight innings pitched. He was followed by Drew Steckenrider, who seemingly has put his last few appearances behind him. Steck pitched a scoreless ninth, striking out Bryce Harper on a questionable pitch.

Hitting

The Miami Marlins were outhit by the Washington Nationals, 11-to-7. Justin Bour was the only Marlin to earn multiple hits for the game. He was the first Marlin to collect a hit, in the second inning (see below). He also collected the largest hit of the night (see further below).

Unfortunately for the Marlins, Anthony Rendon (5) connected for a round-tripper in the top of the fourth inning for a 1-0 Nats lead. Miguel Rojas continued his good play of late from the plate in the Marlins half, with a two-out single against Strasburg.

In the fifth inning, Strasburg helped himself against the Marlins with an RBI-single to score Wilmer Difo. Difo had hit a leadoff-triple to open the inning and eventually double Washington’s lead. Lewis Brinson, who entered the game on a 1-for-18 slump, collected his 28th hit of the season in the bottom of the frame.

Harper added his National League leading 16th home run of the season in the sixth inning to make it 3-0. Trea Turner smacked an RBI-double into left in the seventh, and Harper added a sacrifice fly to make it 5-2. Only then did the Marlins start to score.

J.T. Realmuto hit his ninth double of the season to score Yadiel Rivera.

In the eighth, Bour went deep for his team-leading 10th homer of the season to draw the Miami Marlins to within three. It went 424 feet at an exit velocity of 106 MPH, with a 27 degree launch angle.

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• Miami Marlins rejected Boston‘s trade offer
• Miami Marlins are pursuing Michael Conforto
• Miami Marlins need to spend to win

A few other things

• Realmuto watch: After going 1-for-4 for the game, Realmuto is hitting .323 for the season. Still 21 plate appearances short of qualifying for the NL leaderboard, he would rank sixth in the senior circuit with that average.
• J.T. Riddle went 0-for-4 for the second day in a row. He had been slashing a .330/.385/.500 line at three levels of minor league ball since returning from the disabled list. Riddle struck out to Nationals pitching three times on Sunday.
• Brinson hit a fifth inning single. It was his only hit in four at bats for the game. He still sits at .158, two games short of the 1/3rd point of the season.

Next: Brad Ziegler melts down against Nationals

Thanks for reading today. Join us tomorrow for the opener of the San Diego Padres series. That one starts at 4:10PM EST from Petco Park. It’s Memorial Day tomorrow, and many of our brave Marines, Naval, and Air Force members are stationed in that area. They should be well represented in attendance.

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