Marlins vs Nationals Recap: Hernandez, Lopez lead Miami to 7-3 win

The Miami Marlins rolled into Washington's home ballpark on a mission. They had won the night before 7-3, and they weren't done swinging yet. Miles Mikolas took the mound for the Nationals. The Marlins jumped all over him in the first inning. Joe Mack crushed a fastball 410 feet into center field with Owen Caissie scoring ahead of him. Two pitches later, Heriberto Hernandez launched a 403-foot bomb over center. Then Otto Lopez ripped one to left field for 414 feet—three homers in five pitches! The scoreboard read 4-0 Marlins before the inning ended. Washington couldn't keep pace.

Washington didn't roll over. In the sixth inning, Luis Garcia Jr. hit a grounder that forced a play. Keibert Ruiz ran the bases and scored on the fielder's choice. One run was in. The Nationals kept grinding in the seventh. Dylan Crews reached on an infield single, and an error at third base by Jakob Jimenez let CJ Abrams score. Keibert Ruiz grounded out but Daylen Lile scored. Suddenly it was 4-3. The Marlins' lead had shrunk. The Nationals smelled a chance. But Miami's bullpen tightened up. Michael Petersen and Anthony Bender struck out batter after batter.

The ninth inning brought the final showdown. Ryan Gusto's work was done. Mitchell Parker took over on the mound for Washington. Joe Mack laid down a sacrifice bunt that scored Liam Hicks. It was 5-3 now. Then Heriberto Hernandez stepped up with two outs. Parker wound up and fired a 92-mile-per-hour fastball right into Hernandez's wheelhouse. Hernandez didn't miss. The ball exploded off his bat and sailed 397 feet to left field. Jakob Marsee jogged home behind him. Final score: Miami Marlins 7, Washington Nationals 3. The Marlins improved to 29-34 and stayed rolling on the road.