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SteemSports Editor:
The Washington Nationals were in Miami on Thursday evening looking for a much-needed win over the last-place Marlins while the Twins were trying not to slide any further back from the Indians in the AL Central. The Nats took advantage of a weak Miami bullpen, piling on runs late to win going way, while the Twins snuck out a 2-1 victory in Fenway Park, also scoring late in the game.
We start in Miami where the Nationals needed to take advantage of a series with the last-place Marlins. Washington came into the game at 50-51 and were once again trying to get back to .500. It's been a disappointing campaign thus far, but with plenty of baseball yet to be played, they still have time to attempt to make a run for the post-season yet again. That jump-start needs to happen soon however as they are fading a bit at the moment - now 7.0 games back of the first-place Phillies.
Nationals starter Tommy Milone gave up 3 runs in the bottom of the first as the Marlins jumped out to the early 3-0 lead capped by a Cameron Maybin RBI-single. Milone was able to settle in after the rough first inning and ended up going 5 innings for the game, surrendering the 3 runs off 8 hits while walking none and striking-out 6. He left with the Nats trailing 3-2 while the Marlins wasted a solid effort from their starter as well.
Dan Straily went 5 2/3 innings for Miami and gave up 3 runs off 5 hits, 3 walks and struckout 6. He left with the game tied 3-3, thanks to a game-tying RBI-double from Ryan Zimmerman. The bullpen struggled mightily, as Adam Conley surrendered a 2-run triple to Trea Turner, who finished the game 3/6 with 2 runs scored and 3 RBI to lead all hitters, and then a RBI-double to Bryce Harper as Washington made it 6-3 after 7. The Nats weren't done as they knocked around Ben Meyer for 4 runs off 4 hits and a couple of walks in the top of the 9th to finish off the Marlins 10-3. It was a promising start to the game for the Marlins, but ultimately the Nats' bats came through in a big way down the stretch, getting to them for 7 total runs.
We head to Boston next where the Twins got a game-typing double-play in the top of the 7th inning, and then a RBI-double from Mitch Garver to deep left-center field in the top of the 8th for what proved to be the game-winning run as the Twins pulled off a 2-1 come from behind victory. It was a pitchers' duel all-the-way as Twins starter Kyle Gibson was superb, going 8 innings to get the win, while only allowing 4 hits, 1 run, and 2 walks while striking-out 7. Red Sox starter Brian Johnson had a great outing himself, going 5 2/3 innings, while also giving up 4 hits, but 0 runs, while walking 3 and striking out 5.
Twins' closer Fernando Rodney worked an adventurous 9th inning to pickup his 22nd save of the season. He gave up a lead-off single to Xander Bogaerts before retiring the next two batters. However, after 2-out walks to catcher Blake Swihart and second baseman Brock Holt, the Red Sox found themselves in business with the bases loaded needing just 1 run to tie it. Rodney got Jackie Bradley Jr. to strikeout however to end the threat and the game. The Twins improved to 48-53 on the season while the Red Sox dropped their MLB-best record to 71-33. It could be a land-mark series for Minnesota if they are to make any kind of a run at the Indians and their second consecutive post-season birth.
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