Florida Marlins defeat Washington Nationals 4-1 in 13-inning thriller – MLB Update
The Florida Marlins scored three runs in the 13th inning to clinch a 4-1 win over the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, September 17.
The Marlins won their second-consecutive game to take an unassailable two-game lead in the three-game series and inch closer to the Nationals in the National League East standings. A string of victories might see the Marlins finish ahead of Washington with
just three-games separating both sides.
The visitors continued from where they finished in the previous game, taking a one-run advantage as early as the third inning to impose pressure on the struggling Nationals. Marlins had blanked the home-side 3-0 in the series opener and another similar result
was on the cards yet again.
Chris Volstad scored the first run for Florida on Omar Infante’s sacrifice fly to left-field to prove his worth as a utility player for the Marlins. Volstad pitched seven quality-innings in addition to his run, but was unlucky to get a no-decision for the
ninth time in as many starts. The starter leaked just six hits and one run in his spell to keep the home side at bay but his earned-run average remains to be on the upper-side, currently at 5.13.
Wilson Ramos levelled the game in the fifth inning when he unleashed his arms for a 407-feet home-run down centre-field. Both bull-pens showed valour thereafter and produced a quality performance to keep the game in contention till the 13th inning
and it was luck in the end which saw the Marlins through.
Clay Hensley first pitched a perfect 12th inning to bag his fifth win of the season for Florida before Leo Nunez replicated Hensley’s effort in the 13th to save his 36th game this year. Collin Balester took the mound in the
tenth inning for Washington and pitched two top-quality innings before a two-run home-run followed by Infante’s run in the 13th inning sealed the game for the Marlins. Balester was reduced to four losses for the season with just a single win to
his credit thus far.
The Nationals showed intent before this series, drawing level with the New York Mets for the third spot in NL East, but two consecutive losses have pushed them back in the standings and they are now fighting hard to retain their fourth spot. A win on Sunday,
September 18 is essential for them to firmly hold their spot and regain honour against last-placed Florida.
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