Marlins secure narrow victory over Nationals with key offensive performances
- Sandy Alcantara pitched effectively for the Miami Marlins, securing his second win after Tommy John surgery.
- The Marlins built a strong lead with contributions from multiple players, including key hits from Stowers and Conine.
- The game concluded with a close score, demonstrating the competitive nature of the matchup.
On Saturday, April 12, 2025, the Miami Marlins triumphed over the Washington Nationals with a closely contested 7-6 victory in a Major League Baseball game. Sandy Alcantara, the Marlins' pitcher and 2022 National League Cy Young Award winner, displayed a solid performance, allowing four runs and five hits over 5 2/3 innings. He secured his second win of the season following a recovery from Tommy John surgery in October 2023, which sidelined him for the entirety of the previous season. The game unfolded with the Marlins initially taking a commanding 3-0 lead in the early innings. Matt Mervis contributed with a home run in the second inning, marking his fourth of the season. Miami extended its margin further when Graham Pauley scored on a wild pitch and Kyle Stowers hit a sacrifice fly in the third. However, the Nationals retaliated in the fourth inning, erasing the deficit with three runs, thanks to Nathaniel Lowe's walk with the bases loaded and a two-run double from Josh Bell. As the game progressed, Eric Wagaman's RBI double set the stage for Griffin Conine’s two-run double, which propelled the Marlins ahead 6-3 in the fifth inning. Stowers then increased the lead with an RBI double in the sixth. Despite the Nationals scoring two additional runs in the seventh to narrow the gap, Ronny Henriquez managed to pitch a perfect eighth inning, preventing further scoring. Calvin Faucher closed the game in the ninth for his first save, securing the victory for the Marlins. Additionally, Xavier Edwards excelled with two hits and two stolen bases, marking a streak where he has hit safely in eight of his last nine games. The match concluded with the Nationals making a strategic visit to the injured list earlier that day, having placed shortstop CJ Abrams there due to a right hip flexor strain. The upcoming series finale showcased LHP MacKenzie Gore starting for the Nationals against RHP Cal Quantrill for the Marlins, highlighting the intense competition in their ongoing series.