The Miami Marlins saved their biggest offensive burst for the ninth inning Sunday, turning a two run deficit into a stunning 6-2 victory over the Washington Nationals.
Otto Lopez capped the comeback with a two-run, 400-foot home run into the Marlins bullpen, completing a six-run ninth inning that transformed what had been a frustrating afternoon for Miami into an impressive come from behind win.
The Marlins entered the ninth trailing 2-0, but everything changed when Esteury Ruiz led off against Washington reliever Max Kranick with a bunt single. Griffin Conine and Leo Jiménez followed with walks, loading the bases and putting Miami’s offense in position to make a move.
Kranick was replaced by Tom Cosgrove, who immediately faced trouble. Cosgrove hit Jakob Marsee with a pitch, forcing Ruiz home and putting the Marlins on the scoreboard. Joe Mack then delivered a sacrifice fly to center, bringing Conine across to cut the deficit to 2-1.
Miami’s rally continued when Andrew Pinckney attempted to throw out Jiménez at third. The throw sailed into the dugout, allowing Jiménez to advance and score the tying run.
Heriberto Hernández followed with a walk, and Marsee then stole home as part of a double steal, putting Miami ahead 3-2.
That set the stage for Lopez. The Marlins second baseman launched a towering two-run shot that traveled an estimated 400 feet and landed in the Miami bullpen, giving the Marlins a 6-2 advantage and punctuating one of their most dramatic innings of the season.
Miami’s comeback would not have been possible without a solid start from Janson Junk. The Marlins right-hander allowed one run on four hits over 4⅔ innings. Washington broke through in the fifth when Nasim Nuñez doubled home a run to give the Nationals a 1-0 lead.
Washington added another run in the eighth when Daylen Lile lifted a sacrifice fly, extending the advantage to 2-0. But Miami’s pitching staff kept the game within striking distance. Dax Fulton took over and ultimately earned his first career victory, improving to 1-0.
For much of the afternoon, Washington starter Andrew Alvarez appeared to have the Nationals in control. Alvarez allowed just two hits while walking three and striking out six over six-plus innings. The Nationals simply could not finish the job.
The Marlins did receive some concerning news involving second baseman Xavier Edwards. Edwards left the game in the fifth inning after suffering left elbow and left thumb discomfort during a collision with Washington’s Jorbit Vivas on a tag play during a steal attempt.
Edwards said afterward that he was feeling better, but he is scheduled to undergo imaging on his left thumb Monday. That could be an important development for Miami as the club continues its push through the final stretch of the season.
Washington received contributions from Vivas, who collected two hits and two walks, while CJ Abrams made his first start at second base for the Nationals and provided one of the defensive highlights of the afternoon with a leaping catch on a line drive in the sixth inning.
But the Nationals could not hold their 2-0 lead. Instead, Miami’s lineup erupted in the ninth, scoring six runs on a combination of aggressive baserunning, timely contact, defensive miscues and Lopez’s decisive home run.
The Marlins’ ability to manufacture a comeback without a big offensive inning until the final frame made the victory particularly impressive.
For eight innings, Washington controlled the game. The Nationals had the lead, their pitching had largely silenced Miami’s offense, and the Marlins appeared headed toward another frustrating loss.
Then came the ninth. Six runs later, Miami walked away with a 6-2 victory. Lopez’s home run provided the finishing touch, but the comeback was built on contributions throughout the lineup: Ruiz’s bunt single, three walks, Marsee’s aggressive baserunning, Mack’s sacrifice fly and Washington’s costly throwing error.
The Marlins demonstrated that a game is never truly over until the final out. And on Sunday, they turned a 2-0 deficit into a six-run ninth inning and a memorable 6-2 comeback win.
