Kyle Stowers and Jakob Marsee ignited a late-inning power surge at loanDepot Park, overcoming an early four-run deficit to stun the Nationals in a high-scoring divisional thriller.
MIAMI — The Miami Marlins hit three home runs to power past the Washington Nationals 8-7 on Saturday at loanDepot Park.
“A good win,” Marlins left fielder Kyle Stowers told the Marlins Radio Network. “I know obviously we haven’t been playing our best ball so it’s just fun having an inning like that.”
Stowers went 3-for-4 with a home run and a double to lead the Marlins at the plate. He is batting .304 (7-for-23) in his last seven games.
“Just commit to a plan,” Stowers said. “It doesn’t matter how you feel at a given day. Just commit to something and give it your best go.”
James Wood opened the game with a lead-off home run to give the Nationals an early lead. Luis Garcia singled and Brady House doubled to set up a two-run single by CJ Abrams, putting Washington up 3-0 in the first inning.
Abrams struck again with a triple and scored on a sacrifice fly to extend Washington’s lead to 4-0. Abrams went 2-for-5 to raise his batting average to .295 on the season.
The Marlins bats came alive in the fourth inning. Otto Lopez led off the rally with a single, extending his hitting streak to 12 games. He scored on a Stowers’ first home run of the season to cut the Nationals’ lead in half, 4-2.
“I thought it was a really good at-bat,” Stowers said. “I felt like I took some pitches that were good pitches. So that was, I think, the biggest indicator for me that I was in a good spot.”
Connor Norby reached base on a throwing error by Abrams in the sixth inning. He stole second base and later swiped third after Jakob Marsee drew a walk. Norby scored on a sacrifice fly ball by Owen Caissie to make it a 4-3 game.
Edwards’ fourth home run of the season tied the game in the seventh inning. The Marlins’ second baseman has homered in two consecutive games, both off left-handed pitching.
The Marlins took the lead in the eighth inning after a big four-run rally. Stowers led off the inning with a single and Norby drew a walk to set up a three-run home run by Jakob Marsee. Esteury Ruiz came into the game as a pinch-hitter and produced a double. He stole third base and scored on a sacrifice fly by Leo Jiménez to put Miami up 8-4.
Washington did not go quietly. José Tena led off the ninth inning with a double and scored on a single by Drew Millas. James Wood doubled and both he and Millas scored on a two-run base hit by Luis García Jr. to make it a one-run game. García Jr. went 3-for-5 to lead the Nationals at the plate.
The Marlins brought in John King to get the final out and secure his first save of the season. Janson Junk went six innings for the Marlins (18-22), allowing four runs on seven hits with six strikeouts. Andrew Nardi got the win for a perfect eighth inning of relief.
The Nationals started reliever Richard Lovelady for two scoreless innings, where he allowed only one hit with three strikeouts. Zack Littell, normally a starting pitcher, went four innings allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits. Mitchell Parker was charged for the blown save and loss after being tagged for five runs on five hits.
The Marlins will look to end their 10-game homestand on a positive note. Sandy Alcantara (3-2, 4.01 ERA) takes the ball in teal for the Marlins against Washington right-hander (Cade Cavalli (1-2, 4.15 ERA). The game will be streamed exclusively on Peacock at 12:15 p.m.
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