Long Ball Barrage Lifts Marlins Past Nationals

The Miami Marlins certainly needed this win. 

The Fightin’ Fish rode three home runs and a solid start from their ace to snap a five-game losing streak and defeat the Washington Nationals 7-3 on Monday. 

Marlins designated hitter Liam Hicks hit his 12th home run of the season, which established a new career high. Hicks told the Marlins Radio Network after the game that the Marlins (27-34) were looking to “turn the page” on being swept for the second time this season. 

“Hopefully it gives us some momentum going forward,” Hicks said. “A new month, so hopefully it gets us going in the right direction.”

Sandy Alcantara, needing a bounce back just as much as the Marlins, went seven innings with three runs allowed on seven hits with five strikeouts. Michael Peterson and Pete Fairbanks came out of the bullpen, and each pitched a hitless inning with a strikeout.

Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said during his postgame press conference that this type of performance Alcantara has been doing “for almost a decade.” Every outing that he eats innings allows the bullpen to recharge, even on a day that two new arms have been called up. 

“Every inning that he’s able to take down, it’s one less someone in the pen is gonna need to cover,” McCullough said. “We needed a big one tonight, and he came through.”

Leading off for the Marlins, Hicks drew a walk and later scored after Owen Caissie walked with the bases loaded, giving Miami an early 1-0 lead.

“Just from the first pitch, having that good attitude, pass the baton type mentality,” Hicks said. “Even though we scored one in that first inning, just really good at-bats.”

The Nationals struck back and took a 3-1 lead on a Jacob Young two-run home run in the second inning and an RBI single by Curtis Mead in the third inning. 

Heriberto Hernandez hit a pinch-hit two-run homer in the sixth inning to tie the game 3-3. Connor Norby then hit a go-ahead RBI double to give the Marlins a 4-3 lead. 

“Sometimes you need a little bit of luck to be on your side,” McCullough said. 

The Marlins put a cap on the skid-snapping victory with a pair of home runs in the top of the ninth. Hicks sent a solo shot to right field, and Kyle Stowers’ blast added two more runs. 

While Hicks’ home run set a new career high, it was his first homer since May 23. 

“It feels like I haven’t done it in a while,” Hicks said. “So that one felt good for sure.”

Otto Lopez went 3-for-4 to lead the Marlins at the plate. 

Mead went 2-for-4 with an RBI to lead the Nationals (31-30) in hitting. 

Nationals starting pitcher Cade Cavalli went five innings with two runs allowed on five hits, three walks, and six strikeouts for the no-decision. Richard Lovelady was charged with a loss after allowing two runs in the pivotal sixth inning. 

The Marlins will look to secure the first series win of their longest road trip of the season on Tuesday. The Marlins have yet to announce who will take the injured Eury Perez’s spot in the rotation on Tuesday. 

Whoever it is will go up against the Nationals and Miles Mikolas (1-4, 5.72 ERA). 

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