Nationals defeat Marlins 6-2 as Ruiz nears cycle
- Keibert Ruiz was a triple shy of the cycle, while Jacob Young had three hits in the game.
- Patrick Corbin pitched 5 2/3 innings, allowing two runs and earning his third consecutive win.
- The Nationals' victory continues their dominance over the Marlins, improving their record to 8-0 against them this season.
On Tuesday night in Miami, the Washington Nationals secured a 6-2 victory over the Miami Marlins, marking their eighth consecutive win against this opponent this season. Keibert Ruiz came close to achieving a cycle, finishing just a triple short, while Jacob Young contributed significantly with three hits. Patrick Corbin delivered a strong performance on the mound, pitching 5 2/3 innings and allowing only two runs, which helped the Nationals maintain their dominance over the Marlins after a challenging previous two seasons. The game began with Young's RBI single in the third inning, giving the Nationals an early lead. Ruiz's leadoff double and subsequent scoring on Young's line drive extended the lead, while Joey Gallo's three-run homer in the fourth inning further solidified their advantage. The Marlins managed to score when Connor Norby hit a double in the fifth, but Ruiz responded with a solo home run in the sixth, pushing the score to 5-1. Despite Cristian Pache's RBI double narrowing the gap in the sixth, the Nationals regained control with Andrés Chaparro's groundout in the ninth, sealing the game. The Marlins' shortstop Xavier Edwards returned from injury but struggled, going hitless in five at-bats. Meanwhile, the Nationals are looking forward to the next game with MacKenzie Gore set to start. In terms of player health, the Nationals reported that Cade Cavalli is progressing in his recovery from elbow surgery, while the Marlins dealt with Jesús Sánchez leaving the game due to a mild back spasm. The outcome of this game reflects the Nationals' improved performance against the Marlins this season, contrasting sharply with their previous struggles.