Washington Nationals overpower the Florida Marlins 8-4 in Grapefruit League – MLB Update
National League East franchise, the Washington Nationals, earned their third consecutive win beating division rivals Florida Marlins 8-4 in a close Grapefruit League game Wednesday at Roger Dean Stadium in Florida. Washington’s pitchers Jason Marquis and
Todd Coffey did not allow any runs in their combined five innings pitches.
Nationals made their sixth win of nine games posting a 6-3 record in spring, as the Marlins lost their sixth of eleven games. Washington made one run in the third, two in fifth and five in seventh innings leaving a wide margin for the Marlins. The Marlins
remained scoreless in their first seven innings, but bounced back in eighth scoring three including two home runs, one each by right fielder Donnie Murphy and Greg Dobbs.
Second baseman Danny Espinosa made four runs including two home runs, as centre fielder Roger Bernadina and Adrian Gonzalez had two runs each, contributing to the club’s success.
It seems as if right-handed pitcher Marquis has regained his momentum after recovering from an injury-marred 2010 Major League Baseball campaign. He threw in four innings and allowed just two scoreless hits and struck out two. Marquis had a string of six
straight seasons with a double-digit win total and restricted 2-9 with 6.60 Earned Run Average in 13 starts in his first season with the Nationals. He was also scoreless in his first appearance in spring, as he pitched three innings.
Marquis feels himself more valuable than this and said, "It's not really the results I'm happy about," he said. "Obviously I'll take it. But I'm making my pitches -- down in the zone with good arm speed and action. That's what you're looking for."
Marlins’ right-handed pitcher Javier Vazquez was impressive in four innings, allowing just one run on four hits, as he struck out three of the Nationals’ batters. Javier was making his second Grapefruit League start and third overall spring start. In his
last appearance, he allowed one run on three hits with three strikeouts against the New York Yankees.
"I want to get them out, but I don't want to show them everything," Vazquez said. "On some occasions I'm thinking that during the season, maybe I want to throw a different pitch there, so I don't do that."
Marlins will play against the New York Mets with passion to grab victory today. Right-handed pitcher Anibal Sanchez is scheduled to face off against the Mets’ pitcher Dillon Gee.
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