Miami Marlins Comeback to Defeat Nationals

After a well-deserved off-day, the Miami Marlins defeated the Washington Nationals, 7-3 with 3,557 on hand at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium.

On Friday night, the Miami Marlins came from behind to best the defending World Champion Washington Nationals, 7-3. Now 10-4 for the spring, the Marlins have come from behind in seven of their 10 victories.

Miami Marlins starter Sandy Alcantara took the hill for the third time this spring, to much better results. He had surrendered seven earned runs in 3 2/3 innings before starting earlier tonight. He made it through three innings without a hitch this time.

The Nationals started the scoring in the fourth inning. After Alcantara struck out Asdrubal Cabrera to open the frame, Yadiel Hernandez drew a walk and Welington Castillo hit a single to put runners on first and second. After Dylan Lee replaced Alcantara, he issued a walk to Andrew Stephenson to load the bases. Jake Noll followed with a two-run single, and former Miami Marlins outfielder JB Shuck hit a sacrifice fly to make it 3-0.

The Miami Marlins began their comeback in the very next inning. Chad Wallach hit a one-out, two-run homer to right field the get the fish within a run. It was his second long-ball of the spring. Lewis Brinson gave the Marlins the lead in the sixth with a two-out, two-run homer, his third.

Monte Harrison gave the Marlins some insurance in the seventh with a two-run ground-rule double. Harrison scored soon thereafter on a Lewin Diaz single to set what would remain until the score was final, 7-3.

Despite Alcantara’s troubles, tonight’s effort was leaps and bounds ahead of his previous efforts this spring. He was charged with two of the runs, but only surrendered one hit and a pair of walks in 3 1/3 innings of work.

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Brad Boxberger pitched a perfect fifth for the Marlins, striking out two batters. Nick Neidert was more than impressive in his three innings of relief later in the contest. He allowed one hit and one walk, also struck out four in a scoreless appearance.

Jesus Aguilar, who had been three-for-15 so far, had a two-for-three game before getting relieved at first base by Lewin Diaz. Brinson also had a multi-hit game, adding a single to his home run. Miguel Rojas had a double in two plate appearances.

The Marlins and Nationals will get another game together in short order, with a 1:05PM first pitch set in Washington’s spring training home at FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches.