Tanner Roark Struggles As Washington Nationals Drop Home Opener To Marlins
In the Nationals first home game this year,Tanner Roark struggled as the Nationals fell to the Marlins 6-4.
The Washington Nationals took on the Miami Marlins today at Nationals Park in the team’s home opener this season.
The Marlins offense got off to a quick start in the first inning against Nationals starter Tanner Roark. After retiring the lead off batter Dee Gordon, Roark gave up three consecutive singles to load the bases for Martin Prado. The veteran third baseman ripped a single to centerfield scoring two, giving Miami an early 2-0 lead. After finally getting the second out of the inning, Miami catcher J.T. Realmuto blooped an RBI single into right scoring Giancarlo Stanton and extending the Miami lead to 3-0.
The Nationals offense struck back quickly in the bottom of the first. Anthony Rendon ripped a double off starter Adam Conley, and was followed by walks by Bryce Harper and Ryan Zimmerman. After a Werth strike out, the bases were loaded for Daniel Murphy and he came through yet again. Murphy tripled off the top of the right field wall, missing a grand slam by a matter of just a few inches, and tied the game at three.
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After the wild first inning and a half, Mother Nature struck and the game went into around an 85 minute rain delay. Unfortunately, after the delay Marlins starter Adam Conley left the game and was replaced by David Phelps. Tanner Roark remained in the game for Washington.
The Marlins’ offense got back to work after the delay in the top of the third. After getting Justin Bour to ground into a 1-6-3 double play to record the first two outs of the inning, Roark gave up another hit to Realmuto. The catcher caught the Nats napping and stole second, advancing to third on a bad throw by Wilson Ramos. Instead of walking the eight hitter with the pitcher on deck, Roark pitched to Adeiny Hechavarria and paid the price, giving up an RBI single to the shortstop and letting the Marlins reclaim the lead 4-3.
Tanner Roark was pinch-hit for by Stephen Drew in the bottom of the fourth inning. That ended a rough first outing of the season for the Nats right hander. He went four innings, giving up four runs on an alarming nine hits, and struck out three on 99 pitches. (60 strikes)
In the top of the fifth the Nationals brought on Yusmeiro Petit for his first appearance with the club. After surrendering a leadoff double to Justin Bohr, Petit got two quick outs to put a runner on third for Marlins reliever David Phelps. The right hander lined a single into centerfield scoring Bohr, and increasing Miami’s lead to 5-3.
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Phelps did an outstanding job out of the Miami bullpen, going four scoreless innings and allowing just two hits. He was replaced by right hander Bryan Morris who worked his way out of trouble and kept it a 5-3 game through six innings.
Matt Belisle came in for the Nationals in the top of the seventh and struggled. He gave up doubles to Bohr and Hechavarria, giving the Marlins a three run lead heading into the seventh inning stretch.
In the bottom of the seventh with one out, Bryce Harper launched his second homer of the year to deep right field cutting the deficit to 6-4. After a Jayson Werth walk and a Murphy double, Ramos grounded out and the Nationals were unable to capitalize.
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In the bottom of the ninth, the Marlins brought on their closer A.J. Ramos to try to pick up his first save of the season. Ramos was able to work around a walk to Ryan Zimmerman and secured the 6-4 victory for Miami, their first of the season.
Next Game: The Washington Nationals (2-1) will be back in action Saturday when they take on the Miami Marlins (1-2) at 4:05 p.m. at Nationals Park. You can watch the game on MASN. Joe Ross will take the mound for the Nationals and will be opposed by Tom Koehler for Miami.