The Miami Marlins secured a hard-fought 7-6 victory over the Washington Nationals on Saturday afternoon, thanks to a balanced offensive attack and solid pitching from Sandy Alcantara. The win marked the Marlins’ third consecutive victory and kept their momentum rolling as the season progresses.
Kyle Stowers and Griffin Conine were the driving forces behind the Marlins’ offense, each collecting two hits and driving in two runs. Stowers had an RBI double in the sixth inning, extending Miami’s lead, while Conine’s two-run double in the fifth inning helped break a tie and put the Marlins ahead for good.
Sandy Alcantara (2-0), the 2022 NL Cy Young Award winner, was solid on the mound, allowing four runs and five hits over 5 2/3 innings. Though his strikeout numbers were down (just one strikeout), Alcantara was able to limit the damage and get the job done. He also walked four batters in the outing but managed to stay in control through most of the game. This marked his second consecutive win after undergoing Tommy John surgery in October 2023 and missing all of last season.
The Nationals battled back after falling behind 3-0 early. In the fourth inning, Washington erased the deficit with a three-run rally. Nathaniel Lowe walked with the bases loaded, and Josh Bell followed with a two-run double, tying the game at 3-3. However, the Marlins quickly responded, retaking the lead in the fifth. Eric Wagaman hit an RBI double, and Conine’s two-run double put Miami ahead 6-3.
Matt Mervis added insurance in the second inning, blasting a solo home run off Washington starter Trevor Williams to put the Marlins on the board. Mervis’ fourth homer of the season was a changeup sent deep to right field. The Marlins added another run in the third when Graham Pauley scored on a wild pitch and Stowers hit a sacrifice fly, increasing their lead to 3-0.
Williams (1-1) struggled through his 4 2/3 innings, giving up six runs on eight hits while walking three batters. His inability to control the Marlins’ offense ultimately led to his early exit. Earlier in the day, the Nationals placed shortstop CJ Abrams on the injured list due to a right hip flexor strain, further depleting their lineup.
Key to the Marlins’ victory was the performance of their bullpen. Ronny Henriquez entered the game in the eighth inning and pitched a perfect frame, setting the stage for Calvin Faucher, who closed out the game in the ninth for his first save of the season. Faucher worked around a single and struck out two batters to preserve the Marlins’ one-run lead.
Xavier Edwards continued his hot hitting, collecting two hits and stealing two bases. He has now hit safely in eight of his last nine games, going 14 for 36 during that stretch.
Key Stats:
- Xavier Edwards: 2 hits, 2 steals
- Griffin Conine: 2 hits, 2 RBIs
- Kyle Stowers: 2 hits, 1 RBI
- Matt Mervis: 1 hit, 1 HR, 1 RBI
- Sandy Alcantara: 5 2/3 IP, 4 R, 5 H, 4 BB, 1 K (W)
The Nationals’ offense continues to struggle with consistency, while the Marlins find themselves clicking on all cylinders.
LHP MacKenzie Gore (1-1, 2.65 ERA) will take the mound for the Nationals in the series finale on Sunday, while the Marlins will send RHP Cal Quantrill (1-1, 6.00 ERA) to the hill. The Marlins will look to secure another win and extend their recent success against a Washington team that has been battling injuries and inconsistencies.
