Jesus Sanchez’s second two-run homer of the day capped a four-run ninth inning, and the Miami Marlins rallied past the Washington Nationals 8-6 on Wednesday.
After an RBI single by Miguel Rojas and fielder’s-choice groundout by Lewin Diaz tied the score, Sanchez hit the first pitch he saw from Kyle Finnegan (5-7) to left center for his 12th homer of the season.
Sanchez also hit a two-run homer in the sixth for Miami’s first runs. Bryan De La Cruz homered in the eighth for the Marlins, who took two of three from Washington.
Paul Campbell (2-3), the seventh Miami pitcher, worked the eighth and Dylan Floro pitched a perfect ninth – the only 1-2-3 inning for Marlins pitchers in the game – for his 12th save.
Alcides Escobar had four hits and Josh Bell had three hits including a homer for Washington, which stranded 14 baserunners.
Washington had broken a 3-3 tie with two runs in the seventh.
In a matchup of rookie left-handers with the same last name, the Nationals’ Josh Rogers left with a 2-0 lead after surrendering one hit and one walk over five innings. He struck out six.
Trevor Rogers allowed multiple baserunners in each of his four innings. He allowed one run on seven hits, walked one and struck out three on 84 pitches.
ACROBATICS
Escobar was in the middle of an impressive 3-6-3 double play in the seventh. He slid into second base to field a low throw from Bell and made the return throw from the ground to get Diaz at first.
NAME GAME
It was the first matchup between rookie starters with the same last name since brothers Greg and Mike Maddux squared off on Sept. 29, 1986.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Marlins: C/OF Jorge Alfaro, who hadn’t played since leaving Saturday’s game with left calf tightness, had a pinch-hit single in the eighth inning and left for a pinch runner.
Nationals: Manager Dave Martinez, who underwent left ankle surgery on Sept. 2 and had a follow-up procedure Tuesday, was back on the bench. INF Luis Garcia got the day off.
UP NEXT
Marlins: RHP Elieser Hernandez (1-1, 4.14 ERA) starts the opener of a three-game series against the visiting Pirates on Friday.
Nationals: RHP Josiah Gray (0-2, 6.00) opens a three-game series against Colorado on Friday. Gray, then with the Dodgers, made his first major league start against the Rockies on July 25, allowing two runs in four innings.
