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Hernandez and Marsee Homer, Marlins Clinch Nationals Series
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- Hernandez and Marsee Homer, Marlins Clinch Nationals Series
(Rhona Wise-Imagn Images)
LOANDEPOT PARK – Left fielder Herbierto Hernandez and center fielder Jakob Marsee each slammed a solo homer, Eury Perez didn't have his best start, but the Miami Marlins sparked enough offense to clinch the series in a 4-2 win over the Washington Nationals on Saturday.
Six starters finished the game with at least one base hit.
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Perez (7-9) was credited with the win. In five innings, he allowed three hits and two runs (one earned), walked three batters, and struck out four. Jake Irvin (3-7) was credited with the loss. In six innings, he allowed four hits and four earned runs (two homers), walked two batters, and struck out four.
"Today, I was competing with what I had," Perez told the media postgame. "I think some of the pitches weren't landing. Most importantly, we ended up winning the game."
Closer Calvin Faucher was credited with his second save of the season. In the ninth inning, he didn't give up a hit and secured the win cleanly.
The Marlins (66-64) advance to two games over .500. Marsee had his fourth multi-hit performance in August. He finished with two hits (one homer) in four at-bats, a run batted in, and stole his first base since July 10 .
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First Inning
Unlike Friday's game, the Marlins' offense immediately struck.
First baseman Griffin Conine walked, then designated hitter Owen Caissie doubled to put two runners in scoring position. Shortstop Otto Lopez drove them both in with a line-drive single to right field.
Second Inning
Hernandez kept the Marlins' offensive momentum going with a powerful swing. On a 2-2 count, he slugged a 93.9-mile four-seamer fastball 393 feet deep to left field at 109.2 exit velocity. The solo homer was Hernandez's 19th of the season, which leads the clubhouse.
Fourth Inning
The Nationals got a crack at the scoreboard.
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First baseman Abimelec Ortiz was walked, then advanced to second when catcher Harry Ford grounded out. Second baseman Jose Tena grounded out to Lopez, which would've put the Marlins back on offense, but he threw an error to Conine, allowing Ortiz to score the Nationals' first run.
Shortly after, Marsee responded. He slugged an 85-mile changeup 379 feet deep to right field at 100.3 exit velocity. The solo homer was Marsee's eighth of the season, giving the Marlins a three-run advantage.
Hernandez kept the rally going with a walk, then catcher Joe Mack singled. However, a flyout, right fielder Esteury Ruiz and second baseman Xavier Edwards both struck out swinging to end the inning.
Fifth Inning
Left fielder Andrew Pinckney started with a single, then designated hitter Daylen Lile grounded into a force out. Right fielder Dylan Cruz doubled to right-center field; Ruiz had an opportunity to make a play on the ball, but it popped out of his glove as he landed on it awkwardly. The 27-year-old played the rest of the game.
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Meanwhile, Lile scored a run for the Nationals to cut the deficit in half before the inning ended.
Coming Up
The Marlins look the sweep the Nationals on Sunday. First pitch is scheduled for 1:40 p.m. E.T.
