Nationals Swept in Miami as Marlins Pull Away for 6-2 Win

The Washington Nationals could not avoid a sweep Sunday afternoon, falling 6-2 to the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park.

Washington briefly tied the game in the fourth inning and later pulled within one run in the sixth, but Miami answered both times and controlled the final few innings. The loss dropped the Nationals to 61-71 and extended their losing streak to four games, while the Marlins improved to 67-64.

Miami Strikes First

The Marlins jumped ahead in the bottom of the first inning against Nationals starter Jackson Kent.

Heriberto Hernandez delivered an RBI double that gave Miami an early 1-0 advantage. Kent settled down after the opening inning and kept the Nationals within striking distance.

Washington also received a big defensive play from Jacob Young in the third inning. Young climbed the wall in center field to rob Hernandez of another extra-base hit and turned the play into a double play.

Crews Ties It

The Nationals finally broke through against Marlins starter Janson Junk in the fourth inning.

Daylen Lile hit a ground-rule double, and Dylan Crews followed with an RBI double that tied the game at 1-1.

For a moment, Washington had erased Miami’s early advantage and had a chance to take control.

That opportunity disappeared in the fifth.

Edwards Delivers the Turning Point

Miami regained the lead with a two-out rally in the bottom of the fifth.

Otto Lopez drew a walk and Agustin Ramirez singled against Kent. Nationals manager Miguel Cairo then went to the bullpen, bringing Trevor Williams into the game.

Williams walked Hernandez to load the bases before Xavier Edwards lined a two-run single that scored Lopez and Ramirez.

Just like that, Miami had turned a 1-1 game into a 3-1 advantage.

Kent finished his third career major league start after allowing three runs on four hits over 4 2/3 innings. He struck out five and took the loss, falling to 0-2.

Nationals Answer, Marlins Answer Back

Washington did not go away immediately.

Jorbit Vivas ripped an RBI double in the top of the sixth, cutting Miami’s lead to 3-2.

The Nationals had once again made it a one-run game.

Miami responded immediately.

Joe Mack doubled home a run in the bottom of the sixth before Lopez lifted a sacrifice fly that pushed the Marlins’ advantage to 5-2.

That response proved crucial. Instead of allowing Washington to build momentum after Vivas’ double, the Marlins immediately restored a three-run cushion.

Miami Finishes It Off

Washington’s offense went quiet after the sixth inning.

Marlins reliever Jack Ralston threw two scoreless innings in his major league debut, helping Miami bridge the game to the late innings. Michael Petersen earned the win after recording the final out of the fifth.

Miami added an insurance run in the eighth when Mack produced an RBI fielder’s choice, allowing Jakob Marsee to score and extending the lead to 6-2.

Pete Fairbanks handled the ninth and finished off the sweep.

Washington ended the afternoon with five hits, while Miami recorded eight.

Nationals Miss Abrams Again

Washington once again played without shortstop CJ Abrams, who missed his fourth consecutive game because of a left ankle sprain.

His absence continues to leave a major hole near the top of the Nationals lineup.

Washington managed only two runs in each game of the series, losing 3-2 on Friday, 4-2 on Saturday and 6-2 on Sunday.

That is just six total runs across three games.

Sweep Sends Washington Home on Four-Game Skid

The Nationals arrived in Miami with an opportunity to build momentum after recently showing some encouraging signs.

Instead, they leave South Florida having been swept.

Washington is now 61-71 and sits fourth in the National League East. Miami improved to 67-64.

The Nationals have now lost four straight.

MSB Take

This game followed a frustrating pattern for Washington.

The Nationals repeatedly fought their way back into the game but could never produce the inning that completely flipped the momentum.

Crews tied it in the fourth. Miami answered in the fifth. Vivas made it 3-2 in the sixth. Miami immediately scored twice more.

That inability to keep Miami off the scoreboard after producing offense ultimately decided the game.

Kent showed some promising moments and struck out five, but the fifth-inning rally changed everything. Washington’s bullpen then failed to contain the damage.

The bigger concern remains the offense.

Scoring exactly two runs in all three games of a series makes it extremely difficult to win consistently, especially when Abrams is unavailable.

Washington now returns home looking to stop a four-game losing streak.

The Nationals open a four-game series against the Colorado Rockies on Monday at Nationals Park.