The Washington Nationals secured a 5-2 victory over the Miami Marlins on September 2, 2025, in a National League East matchup at Nationals Park, driven by a potent offense and a strong pitching performance. Left fielder James Wood hit a two-run homer, and the Nationals capitalized on four doubles to outpace the Marlins, who struggled with three fielding errors. The win lifted Washington to 55-83, fifth in the NL East, while Miami fell to 65-74, holding third place, before a crowd under partly cloudy skies.
Washington jumped ahead in the second inning when catcher Riley Adams doubled to score designated hitter Daylen Lile, followed by center fielder Jacob Young’s single that drove in Adams, making it 2-0. Lile added an RBI single in the third, scoring shortstop CJ Abrams. Miami answered in the fourth when third baseman Connor Norby singled to plate catcher Liam Hicks and shortstop Otto Lopez, cutting the deficit to 3-2. The Nationals pulled away in the fourth with Wood’s 27th homer of the season, a two-run shot off Marlins starter Max Mazur that scored Young, sealing the 5-2 score.
Nationals starter Cade Cavalli earned the win, improving to 2-1, pitching five innings and allowing two runs on four hits with six strikeouts. Relievers Marc Poulin, Cole Henry, Konnor Pilkington, Jackson Rutledge, and Jose Ferrer combined for four scoreless innings, with Ferrer earning his sixth save. Miami’s Mazur took the loss, falling to 0-2 after six innings, surrendering five runs on 10 hits. Reliever Cory Tarnok pitched two scoreless innings but couldn’t spark a comeback. The Marlins’ three errors, two by Norby and one by Lopez, contributed to their struggles, while Washington’s lone error by Poulin had no impact.
Washington’s offense racked up 10 hits, including doubles by Adams, Lile, Abrams, and right fielder Dylan Crews. Wood led with a homer and two RBIs, while Lile and Adams each drove in a run. Young, who stole his 14th base, and Hassell III, with his second steal, added speed to the lineup. The Nationals went 5-for-16 with runners in scoring position but left eight on base. Miami managed four hits, with Norby’s two RBIs leading the effort. The Marlins went 1-for-4 with runners in scoring position, leaving seven on base, and grounded into a double play.
The game, lasting 2 hours and 45 minutes, was played in 75-degree weather with a 5 mph wind. Umpires Jeremie Rehak (home plate), Chris Conroy (first base), John Tumpane (second base), and Brennan Miller (third base) officiated. The Nationals’ win showcased their young talent, with prospects like Crews and Lile contributing, while Miami’s late-season push was hampered by defensive miscues.
