Washington Nationals Recap: Nats Comeback Falls Short In Loss To Miami
By Nick Engle
The Washington Nationals opened their four-game, weekend set against the Miami Marlins hoping to keep up their four-game winning streak and keep their dim playoff hopes alive. The Nats were unable to mount a comeback after falling behind and Tanner Roark was knocked around a bit as Washington lost to Miami, 6-4.
The Miami Marlins wasted no time in this one getting on the board. Dee Gordon singled to lead the game off and Christian Yelich moved Gordon over on a fly out to left field. Perhaps Roark had the runner on his mind as he hung a slider that Martin Prado deposited into the Red Porch in center to make the score 2-0.
The Nats looked as if they had some fight in them as they were able to even the score in the bottom of the second. Jayson Werth led things off with a good at-bat and drew a walk. Clint Robinson had another good at-bat, but he grounded into a fielder’s choice that moved Werth to second. Ian Desmond then sat on a hanging curve and launched it over the left-center wall to tie the game at two.
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Tanner Roark was able to settle down after the first inning until the top of the fifth where the Marlins did the majority of their damage against him. Miguel Rojas doubled to lead off the inning and Jarred Cosart was able to lay down a sacrifice bunt to move Rojas over. Dee Gordon then was able to drive Rojas home on a sacrifice fly to make the score 3-2.
The Marlins were not done and had a little two-out magic in them as the next three batters reached base and scored. It started with a Yelich single, which was followed by a Prado single. Justin Bour then was sitting dead red and blasted a two-seamer to deep right field to make the score 6-2.
The Nationals had their chance in the bottom of the eighth as they were able to push across two runs, but left the bases loaded to end the inning. Anthony Rendon lead off with a single to right. After Yunel Escobar lined out, Bryce Harper singled , which put two on with one out for Werth. Werth popped up but Tyler Moore was able to draw a walk loading the bases for Ian Desmond. Desmond came through with a two-out single up the middle to score Rendon and Harper. Wilson Ramos then walked to load the bases again for Michael Taylor, but Mr. Clutch this year could not cash in and Taylor struck out to end the inning. The eighth was the last chance for the Nationals as they fall to the Marlins 6-4.
Next Game: The Washington Nationals (75-71) will play the second of their four-game set against the Miami Marlins (64-83) tomorrow evening at 7:05 PM ET. You can catch the game on MASN. It is a great pitching matchup as Max Scherzer (12-11, 2.91 ERA) for the Nats takes on Jose Fernandez (5-0, 2.06 ERA) for the Marlins.
Next: Nationals vs. Marlins Series Preview (9/17-9/20)