The Miami Marlins blow a three-run lead to the Washington Nationals, behind Daylen Lile's two-homer performance.
The Miami Marlins led by three following the top of the fourth inning, but six unanswered runs, including two homers by left fielder Daylen Lile, powered the Washington Nationals to a 6-3 comeback win on Monday.
Ryan Gusto started the game and allowed four hits and one earned run in 4.1 innings. Josh Ekness (1-2) was credited with the loss and his third blown save of the season. Reliever Matt Waldron (2-2) was credited with the win and Erik Tolman with his first save.
The Marlins (69-69) revert to .500 and playoff hopes remain on life support.
Left fielder Dayleen Lile delivered a powerful performance: three hits and three at-bats, including two homers, and four runs batted in. Three other Nationals batters (catcher Keibert Ruiz, third baseman Brady House, and right fielder Andrew Pinckney) had at least two hits.
Fourth Inning
After three scoreless opening innings, the Marlins found an offensive spark. Reliever and major league rookie Luis Perales made his third appearance of the season. He started the inning by walking left Fielder Heriberto Hernandez, then designated hitter Agustin Ramirez delivered a single to advance the go-ahead run to scoring position.
Javier Sanoja, who started at second base for Xavier Edwards, singled to load the bases. After a mound visit, Perales stayed on it. He threw a wild pitch to Ruiz’s mask and into the backstop, allowing Hernandez to score the game’s first run.
First baseman Kyle Stowers stepped into the batter’s box and Perales was still on the mound. After an 0-2 count, he threw a couple of balls to split the count at two, then the one-time All-Star hit a 96.1-mile cutter low in the strike zone to center field for a single; the 28-year-old drove in Ramirez and Sanoja for two more runs.
Fifth Inning
Reliever Jack Ralston took over for Gusto after Pinckney singled. Six pitches in and Lile slugged an 83.1-mile slider 406 feet deep to center field to cut the Marlins’ lead to two.
Seventh Inning
Reliever Tyler Zuber started the seventh inning on the mound. Shortstop Nasmin Nunez singled, then stole second, and a wild pitch advanced him to third. Ekness was called from the bullpen, stepped onto the mound, but Lile slugged a 97.8-mile four-seam fastball 373 feet to right field to give the Nationals a one-run lead.
After Ekness walked designated hitter Abimele Ortiz, first baseman Andres Chapparo singled to right field. The ball got to Esteury Ruiz’s glove, but in an attempt to throw to third, it went into the stands. Ortiz scored a run off an error to extend the Nationals’ lead.
House kept the rally going by singling to right field and drove in Chapparo for another run.
Eighth Inning
In an attempt to respond, the Marlins loaded the bases with shortstop Otto Lopez at third, pinch hitter (designated hitter) Griffin Conine at second, and Sanoja at first with no outs. However, Stowers struck out and third baseman Leo Jimenez grounded to a double play. The Marlins left behind a big opportunity to regain momentum.
The next three games to start September will be at Kansas City, facing the Royals.
Anthony Aguirre covers the Miami Hurricanes, Miami Heat, and Miami Marlins for Roundtable Sports. Contact info for tips/info: [email protected] & 305-987-3290 | Follow on Instagram/X: @AnthonyA_Sports
