The Miami Marlins delivered another dramatic victory Friday night, rallying for a 3-2 walk-off win over the Washington Nationals on Javier Sanoja’s bases-loaded single in the bottom of the ninth inning.
The victory moved Miami to 65-64 on the season, putting the Marlins one game over .500, while extending their winning streak against Washington to six games. The Nationals fell to 61-69.
Washington appeared poised to steal the game after tying the score in the top of the ninth. Daylen Lile singled against Miami reliever Pete Fairbanks to bring home the tying run and make it 2-2.
But the Marlins answered immediately in the bottom half. Agustín Ramírez led off with a walk against Clayton Beeter. Esteury Ruiz followed with an infield hit, and a throwing error by Beeter allowed the runners to advance to second and third.
Washington intentionally walked Jakob Marsee to load the bases, bringing Sanoja to the plate with nobody out. Sanoja delivered, lining a single through the middle to score the winning run and send the Marlins into a celebration at home plate.
Miami had trailed 1-0 before mounting its comeback. Keibert Ruiz gave Washington the early advantage in the sixth inning, hitting his eighth home run of the season against Tyler Zuber. The homer ended an impressive stretch for Zuber, who had not allowed an earned run since July 24, spanning 12 appearances.
The Marlins answered in the eighth. Marsee tripled to open the inning against Tom Cosgrove, giving Miami an important scoring opportunity. Sanoja then singled to bring Marsee home and tie the game at 1-1.
Otto Lopez followed with a two-out single that put Miami ahead 2-1. Washington refused to go quietly, however, tying the game in the ninth and setting the stage for Sanoja’s walk-off heroics.
The Marlins finished the night with a thrilling victory that kept their postseason push alive and moved them back above the .500 mark.
The Nationals are scheduled to send right-hander Jake Irvin (2-7, 5.80 ERA) to the mound Saturday against Marlins right-hander Eury Pérez (6-9, 3.23 ERA) as Miami looks to continue its strong run against Washington.
