Marlins capitalize on Nationals errors for 6-3 win in series opener

In a tightly contested game on Thursday night, the Miami Marlins faced off against the Washington Nationals in the first match of a three-game series. The Marlins, who had been struggling with a three-game losing streak, managed to turn the tide in the eighth inning. Trailing 3-2, they capitalized on a series of errors by the Nationals, scoring three unearned runs. Jake Burger led the charge with three hits, while Jonah Bride and Connor Norby each contributed two RBIs. The Nationals initially took the lead in the first inning, with CJ Abrams scoring after a sharp single from Dylan Crews. However, the Marlins responded with two runs in the third, aided by an errant throw from Abrams that put runners in scoring position. Despite a strong performance from Nationals starter Mitchell Parker, who pitched 6 1/3 innings without allowing another runner to reach second base, the Marlins found their rhythm late in the game. In the eighth inning, the Marlins tied the game with a double from pinch hitter Xavier Edwards, followed by a walk and an RBI single from Bride. A crucial error by the Nationals allowed the Marlins to take the lead, and they added an insurance run in the ninth with a sacrifice fly from Norby. With this victory, the Marlins improved their record against the Nationals to 2-9 for the season, while the Nationals continued to struggle, marking their 81st loss of the season. This defeat ensured that Washington would finish with a losing record for the fifth consecutive year since their 2019 World Series title.