The Washington Nationals were swept by the surging Miami Marlins for the second time this season. After going 14-15 in May, the Nats went 3-11 through the first fourteen games in June.
Game 1: MARLINS 6, Nationals 5
Lane Thomas (2-5, 2 RBI) hit a solo shot in the first inning. Jeimer Candelario doubled three times for Washington. But Candelario only scored once, however, as the Nats went 2-9 with runners in scoring position. Joey Meneses batted in two runs. Dominic Smith had a couple of hits and scored a run.
The NL East rivals battled to a 5-5 tie after just four innings. The Nats outhit the Marlins 12-11 and outhomered them, 2-1. Defensively, the Nationals turned three double plays and didn’t commit an error.
Where has Victor Robles Been?
After a prolonged absence, Victor Robles appeared in his first game with the Nationals since May 6 in Arizona. He recorded one hit in four chances, including two strikeouts. Robles went on the 10-day injured list on May 8 with back spasms. In a four-game rehab assignment with the Rochester Red Wings, Robles went 4-11 with two home runs, 5 RBI, and 5 runs scored. At the time of his back spasms, Robles was batting .290 with no HRs, eight RBI and 8 stolen bases.
Trevor Williams started for the Nats and surrendered five runs on seven hits and three walks in 4.1 innings. Jordan Weems, Mason Thompson, and Chad Kuhl kept the Marlins at bay in 2.2 inning of scoreless relief. In between Thompson and Kuhl, Carl Edwards Jr. gave up a run on two hits and a walk in the pivotal eighth inning. Edwards (L, 1-3) suffered with the loss.
Game 2: MARLINS 5, Nationals 2
With one out in the bottom of the first, Luis Garcia (2-4) hit his second triple of the season. Marlins 2B Luis Arraez made a snow cone catch on the edge of the infield dirt. Next, Joey Meneses (1-4) grounded to third and the Nats stranded Garcia.
The Nats managed just one hit in their first 10 at-bats. In the fourth inning, Jeimer Candelario’s 21st double of the season preceded Meneses’ 35th RBI on a signature opposite field single. The game remained tied 1-1 after six innings.
On a positive note, Jake Irvin logged five innings and gave up just one run on four hits and two walks. Irvin struck out four and lowered his ERA to 5.25. Jordan Weems pitched a scoreless sixth frame and his ERA fell to 2.16.
Chad Kuhl (one inning) and Thad Ward (two innings) each gave up a pair of runs as the Marlins pulled away in the final three innings. Kuhl walked Jorge Soler with the bases loaded as the Marlins took the lead 2-1 in the seventh. Kuhl threw a wild pitch to the next batter and Miami’s lead increased to 3-1.
The Nats threatened with runners at the corners and nobody out in the bottom of the eighth, but DC could only plate one run on a “cue ball” double play by Candelario. The Nats took two walks, while the Marlins walked seven times. Marlins DH Jorge Soler had three of the seven free passes for Miami.
Game 3: MARLINS 4, Nationals 2
The Marlins dinked and dunked Patrick Corbin (L, 4-8) for a couple of runs in the first three innings. Lane Thomas tied it up two in the bottom of the third with his 11th HR of the season. Unfortunately, Corbin could not keep the Marlins from answering with two more runs in the Miami fourth inning.
Victor Robles ended the Nats fifth frame by getting picked off first base. Corbin made it through six innings, giving up four runs on eleven hits. He struck out three and walked two. The score was 4-2 in favor of the Marlins after Corbin exited. And that’s the way it would end.
Making his first appearance for the Nats in over a month, Cory Abbott pitched three shutout innings in relief. Abbott struck out two and allowed just one hit. Promoted from Rochester on June 7, Abbott did not appear in a game until 11 days later. In nine starts with the Red Wings, Abbott’s won two of six decisions with an ERA of 5.71. He struck out 51 in 41 innings.
Nats Record: 27-43, fifth in the NL East. Washington lost for the 11th time in 13 games.
Next Up for the DC9: The last place St. Louis Cardinals are in town for a three-game series.
@toto_dominic
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