The Miami Marlins continued their strong play at home Sunday, rallying past the Washington Nationals 6-2 to complete a three-game series sweep. Xavier Edwards delivered the biggest hit of the afternoon, breaking a 1-1 tie with a two-run single in the fifth inning as Miami pulled away for its latest victory.
The Marlins improved to 41-25 at home with the win. Miami took an early 1-0 lead in the first inning when Heriberto Hernández lined an RBI double. Washington answered in the fourth on Dylan Crews’ run-scoring double, but the Nationals could not maintain the momentum.
In the fifth, Otto López drew a two-out walk before Agustín Ramírez singled against Nationals starter Jackson Kent. Trevor Williams entered in relief and walked Hernández to load the bases, setting the stage for Edwards.
Edwards then ripped a line drive into the outfield, scoring López and Ramírez and giving Miami a 3-1 advantage. Washington pulled within one in the sixth when Jorbit Vivas doubled home a run, but the Marlins responded immediately. Joe Mack delivered an RBI double, and López followed with a sacrifice fly to push Miami’s lead to 5-2.
Mack added another RBI in the eighth on a fielder’s choice, completing the scoring. Mack finished with a double and two RBIs, while López contributed two walks and a sacrifice fly. Hernández also had an RBI and reached base multiple times.
Miami’s pitching staff did enough to keep Washington at bay. Janson Junk started for the Marlins and allowed one run on two hits over 4 2/3 innings. Michael Petersen (3-3) recorded the final out of the fifth to earn the victory.
Jack Ralston also made his major league debut for Miami, pitching two scoreless innings and helping protect the Marlins’ lead.
Kent, making his third career start, took the loss after allowing three runs on four hits. The Nationals were without star shortstop CJ Abrams, who missed his fourth consecutive game because of a left ankle sprain.
Miami also received a defensive highlight in the third inning when Washington center fielder Jacob Young robbed Hernández of an extra-base hit. Young climbed the wall and made an impressive catch on Hernández’s drive.
The victory capped a perfect weekend for the Marlins, who swept Washington and continued to build momentum at loanDepot park.
Before Sunday’s game, the Marlins honored longtime television analyst Tommy Hutton, who is set to retire at the end of the season. The 80-year-old Hutton has called Marlins games for 28 seasons and previously enjoyed a 12-year major league playing career with four different clubs.
Hutton moved into broadcasting shortly after his playing career ended in 1981, beginning as an analyst with the Montreal Expos. He later called games for the New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays and ESPN before becoming a beloved voice of Marlins baseball.
With another strong home victory in the books, Miami continues its push through the second half of the season, while the Nationals head home after being swept in the three-game series.
