Washington Nationals Shut Out by Miami Marlins on Tuesday

Jul 29, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg (37) sits in the dugout during the sixth inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Henderson Alvarez was lights out, making the lone run that Stephen Strasburg surrendered on Tuesday night enough to put the Washington Nationals in an insurmountable hole.

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The Miami Marlins and Nationals traded zeros for five innings before the Fish struck in the bottom of the sixth. Giancarlo Stanton‘s 25th double scored Jordany Valdespin after Valdespin had singled to open the frame.

While the damage was done, that would be the only blemish on Strasburg’s line. The right-hander dropped to 7-9 after allowing the one run on four hits and two walks in seven innings. He also struck out four in the contest. On nearly any other night, that type of performance would be more than enough for a win.

Alvarez was stellar, however, allowing just three hits in seven shutout frames. He walked four, struck out four and improved to 8-5 on the year.

After the starters left the game following the seventh inning, the bullpens took over. Jerry Blevins struggled for the Nats, allowing a lead-off single to Reed Johnson and an RBI double to Christian Yelich. Following a sac-bunt by Valdespin, Aaron Barrett came on. Stanton singled home Yelich (that run was charged to Blevins) to make the game 3-0.

The Marlins bullpen was great. Bryan Morris and Mike Dunn combined to pitch a scoreless eighth (though Morris walked two batters), and closer Steve Cishek notched his 27th save after allowing two hits and striking out two in the ninth.

The two teams won’t have much time to dwell on the result of this game, as they’ll square off again at 12:40 p.m. ET on Wednesday. Tanner Roark and Brad Hand will look to continue the strong pitching performances from Tuesday.

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