All Smiles In South Beach, Nationals Sweep Marlins

by Evan Johnson · May 27, 2018

The Washington Nationals came into Miami on the heels if a strong series against the San Diego Padres, and looking to build against a Marlins team in a real tailspin

The series got off to a back-and-forth start on Friday with Michael A Taylor hitting a two run home run to give the Nats a 2-0 lead in the second inning. However, the Marlins would have an answer two innings later on a two run single from Miguel Rojas to tie the game at 2. The Nats went back in front on a two run home run from Matt Adams in the sixth inning to make it 4-2 in favor of Washington. The Marlins had an even more immediate answer to this with a two run shot from Derek Dietrich in the bottom of the sixth to tie the game at 4. It seemed the Marlins had an answer for everything the Nationals could throw at them-until they didn’t. The Nats broke through for three in the top of the seventh on a bases loaded infield single from Trea Turner and a two run double from Bryce Harper. This gave Washington a 7-4 lead which they would not relinquish, as they would go on to win 9-5.

Saturday’s game was less eventful. Wei-Yin Chen was pitching seven innings of scoreless baseball. Meanwhile, Brian Anderson hit an RBI single in the fourth inning to give the Marlins a 1-0 lead. It seemed like another night of frustration for the Nats-until the late innings. Wilmer Difo tied the game at 1 on a solo home run in the eight, and the Nats exploded for three runs in the ninth on a solo blast from Mark Reynolds and singles from Matt Adams and Trea Turner to give Washington a 4-1 win and the series win.

The Nats came into Sunday’s game looking for the sweep, and they meant business. After three innings of scoreless baseball, the Nats broke out in front on a solo home run by Anthony Rendon, and they would not look back. Washington scores the first five runs of the game and went on to win 5-2, completing their fourth sweep of the season, and the third on the road.

Max Scherzer wasn’t his usual strike out everybody in sight self, but he was good enough to get the win, allowing four runs on seven hits in six innings. Next was Tanner Roark, who pitched well enough for a win (one run on four hits in seven innings), but picked up a no decision. Stephen Strasburg had a short yet productive outing not allowing a run on three hits in five innings, earning him the win.