Miami Marlins blank Washington Nationals 9-0 as Justin Ruggiano shines - MLB Update
Right fielder Giancarlo Stanton and centre fielder Justin Ruggiano lead the Miami Marlins to a thumping 9-0 victory against the Washington Nationals at Marlins Park, Miami on August 28, 2012 in the first game of the two match series.
The Marlins had some massive hits against one of the most formidable starters in the National League, Stephen Strasburg.
On one side pitcher Ricky Nolasco kept the Nationals scoreless all through the game and on the other their batters launched fireworks from the plate.
Two runs were scored in the first inning by Miami. While Washington still had the chance to cut in to the lead and begin their dominance in the match, three runs in the third by the Marlins made it extremely difficult for them to bounce back.
The game was another refection of the worry by the Nationals that their offence is declining. While earlier Michael Morse and Ian Desmond were missing in the line-up, on Tuesday Washington had both of them. All those batters that ensured them huge success
throughout the season were present and yet they still managed to fail.
Even more concerning can be the fact that the Marlins’ pitching staff has barely been effective in the season. Therefore, as their starter Ricky Nolasco completed a spell of scoreless nine innings against Washington, it tells the latter’s hitters are struggling
immensely.
Meanwhile, Stanton slammed three hits on Tuesday while giving way to three RBIs. Other than him, Ruggiano was excellent on the plate as he brought four hits in all of the at-bats he came across. He also struck a home-run in the game.
The Marlins were nearly perfect in almost every area of the game as can be realised from the fact their starter Nolasco ended up finishing nine innings scoreless.
Ruggiano makes interesting comments about Strasburg saying he certainly will be admiring the strategy Marlins followed against him. Despite the fact Strasburg is known for throwing scoreless innings, on Tuesday he was dealt differently.
"He's the toughest I've faced in a game as far as overall stuff," Ruggiano said. "Hopefully he's tipping his cap to us, because I think we all had a good approach to him."
Washington cannot afford to let the losing-streak grow. Winning the last game of the series is extremely important for them. It will be interesting to see how they escape the present decline and return to winning ways again.
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