Jorge Soler hit his 35th home run of the season, a two-run shot, as the Miami Marlins defeated the Washington Nationals 2-1 on Sunday to avoid being swept in the series.
Luis Arraez got things started with a leadoff single in the third inning, and Soler followed with his go-ahead homer off Trevor Williams, giving the Marlins a 2-1 lead. It was Soler’s 19th go-ahead home run of the season, the most in the major leagues.
Jacob Stallings added two hits for the Marlins, who snapped a six-game losing streak.
Trevor Williams had a strong outing for the Nationals, allowing just five hits and two walks over a season-high seven innings. However, the Nationals were unable to capitalize on his performance and lost the game. The Nationals had previously won five out of their last six games.
The Nationals had a chance to tie the game in the ninth inning against Marlins closer Tanner Scott. Keibert Ruiz and Ildemaro Vargas hit consecutive singles with one out, but Scott induced a double-play groundout from Jacob Young to secure the Marlins’ victory.
Scott replaced David Robertson as the Marlins’ closer after Robertson blew a save opportunity in Saturday’s game. It was Robertson’s third blown save since being acquired by the Marlins from the New York Mets on July 29.
Bryan Hoeing, who came in for the Marlins in relief, pitched four-plus innings, allowing only one run, to earn the win. Steven Okert, A.J. Puk, and Andrew Nardi each pitched a hitless inning before Scott closed out the game.
Hoeing had to leave the game in the sixth inning after being hit by a comebacker from Joey Meneses.
The Nationals took an early lead in the third inning on Dominic Smith’s groundout. CJ Abrams led off the inning with a single and advanced to second on Lane Thomas’ double. Smith’s grounder to first base scored Abrams.
JT Chargois started the game for the Marlins and pitched a scoreless inning before being relieved by Hoeing.
In injury news, Nationals outfielder Victor Robles is continuing his rehab for lumbar spine back spasms, while Marlins left-hander Trevor Rogers, who is dealing with a left biceps strain, has started playing catch at the team’s spring training complex in Jupiter.
In the next games, the Nationals will send Josiah Gray to the mound for the opener of a three-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays, who will start Kevin Gausman. The Marlins will have Sandy Alcantara starting against the Tampa Bay Rays in the opener of a two-game home series, but the Rays have not yet named a starter.
