Marlins Begin Road Trip With Bad Loss to Nationals

The Miami Marlins opened their seven-game road trip with a rough start Friday, falling 9-2 to the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park.

The loss dropped Miami to 68-67 and marked its third loss in four games. It also snapped Washington's eight-game losing streak in the season series against the Marlins.

The Marlins entered Friday’s series opener 8-1 against the Nationals this season after recently sweeping them in Miami.

Miami struck first in the second inning when second baseman Xavier Edwards delivered an RBI single, but the lead quickly disappeared.

Washington broke the game open in the third, taking advantage of a costly inning from right-hander Eury Pérez, who had been dealing entering Friday’s outing.

Pérez walked the first three batters he faced in the frame, and the Nationals converted the free passes into a five-run rally.

Two runs scored on a rare throwing error from catcher Joe Mack, giving Washington a 2-1 lead, before Brady House delivered the biggest blow of the night.

House launched a three-run homer 445 feet to left-center field, his 10th home run of the season, putting the Nationals ahead 5-1.

That was more than enough support for Washington rookie Jackson Kent.

Making his fourth major league start and facing Miami for the second consecutive outing after his previous start came at loanDepot Park on Aug. 23, Kent settled in after allowing the early run.

He limited the Marlins to three hits and one run over seven innings while striking out three.

The performance earned Kent his first major league win.

Miami never mounted a comeback Friday against Kent. Pérez, meanwhile, was finished after three innings, allowing five runs while throwing 41 of his 74 pitches in the third inning.

Washington added to its advantage in the seventh. Harry Ford opened the inning with a solo homer, his third of the season, to make it 6-1.

Dylan Crews followed with a two-run double, and Daylen Lile added an RBI triple to push the Nationals' lead to 9-1.

The Marlins' final offensive highlight came in the eighth, when Heriberto Hernández launched his 21st homer of the season.

Hernández has been particularly productive against Washington, with five of his home runs coming in nine games against the Nationals this season.

Miami remains four games out of the final National League Wild Card spot as the club’s playoff push continues.

Miami will look to bounce back Saturday. Sandy Alcantara is scheduled to start for the Marlins against Washington right-hander Cade Cavalli. Alcantara enters with a 13-8 record and 3.38 ERA, while Cavalli is 12-5 with a 3.21 ERA.

First pitch is marked for 4:05 p.m. ET.