MIAMI — The Miami Marlins powered past the Washington Nationals 11-4 on April 13, 2025, at loanDepot park, leveraging a late offensive surge to secure their third-place standing in the National League East. The loss pushed the Nationals to fourth in the division, underscoring their struggle to convert scoring opportunities.
The Marlins’ 14 hits, including a three-run homer by Matt Mervis, overwhelmed Washington’s pitching. Kyle Stowers led Miami, going 3-for-5 with two RBIs and three runs scored, while Andrew Wagaman added a perfect 3-for-3 day with two walks. For the Nationals, Keibert Ruiz went 2-for-5, and Luis García Jr. contributed two hits, but Washington’s 5-for-17 performance with runners in scoring position proved costly.
Miami’s offense ignited in the sixth inning, scoring three runs off Nationals reliever Jose López. Aaron Hicks’ sacrifice fly broke a 3-3 tie, followed by RBIs from Jesús Sanoja and Griffin Conine. The seventh inning saw Mervis’ homer off López, a two-out blast that drove in three and extended Miami’s lead to 10-4. Conine added a two-RBI single in the eighth, capping the Marlins’ scoring.
Washington opened the game with a run in the second on Nathan Lowe’s RBI single. The Marlins answered with Otto Lopez’s RBI groundout. Both teams traded two runs in the fourth, with Alex Call and Paul DeJong driving in runs for the Nationals, while Stowers’ two-RBI single tied the game for Miami. Jacob Young’s ninth-inning RBI kept Washington alive, but Miami’s bullpen held firm.
Nationals starter MacKenzie Gore (1-2, 3.52 ERA) took the loss, allowing four earned runs over six innings with seven strikeouts. Miami’s Cal Quantrill pitched five innings, giving up three runs on seven hits. Reliever Richard Henriquez (1-0, 1.08 ERA) earned the win with a scoreless sixth, throwing just four pitches. Miami’s bullpen, including Jesús Tinoco and Anthony Bender, limited Washington to one run over the final four innings.
Defensively, Miami executed three double plays, with catcher Michael Brantly nabbing Keibert Ruiz trying to steal third. The Marlins also stole two bases, with Xavier Edwards and Sanoja capitalizing on Gore’s focus. Washington’s James Wood and DeJong each stole a base, but a throwing error by Miami’s Sanoja in the fourth allowed a Nationals run.
The game, played under sunny 79-degree conditions with 13,969 in attendance, lasted 2 hours, 53 minutes. Miami’s 9-for-20 clip with runners in scoring position highlighted their clutch hitting, while Washington stranded 10 runners, per MLB.com. The Marlins’ bullpen efficiency, particularly Henriquez’s brief but effective outing, proved decisive.
Washington’s López and Lucas Sims struggled, combining for seven earned runs in just one inning. Miami’s depth shone through, with seven players recording hits and six driving in runs. ESPN noted Miami’s ability to capitalize on late-inning mistakes as key to their 8-7 record. The Nationals, now 6-9, continue to grapple with inconsistent relief pitching.
The victory keeps Miami competitive in the NL East, while Washington looks to rebound in their next series. Both teams showcased offensive potential, but Miami’s timely hitting and bullpen strength made the difference.
