Jacob Young launched a two-run homer, Foster Griffin delivered a stellar seven-inning performance, and the Washington Nationals secured a 3-2 victory over the host Miami Marlins on Friday night.
Curtis Mead reached base three times with a double and two walks, contributing to Washington’s third consecutive win. The Nationals improved to 13-7 on the road this season.
All five runs in the contest were scored during the opening frame.
Griffin (4-1) surrendered two runs (one earned) on four hits, striking out a career-high nine batters while walking just one. He threw 103 pitches and lowered his ERA to 2.12.
Brad Lord recorded five outs before Javier Sanoja reached on a shortstop CJ Abrams error in the ninth inning. PJ Poulin entered and walked Heriberto Hernandez, then induced a forceout from Leo Jimenez to earn his first save.
Xavier Edwards homered, and Otto Lopez recorded his fifth three-hit game of the season with a double and two singles for Miami, which has lost five of its last six contests.
Marlins starter Robby Snelling (0-1) allowed three runs on five hits over five innings.
Washington struck first in the opening frame. Mead doubled with one out and scored on a two-out single by Abrams. Young followed with a deep home run to left field, giving the Nationals a 3-0 lead.
Miami answered in the bottom half, as the first three batters reached base against Griffin. Edwards led off with a homer to left-center, and Lopez followed with a double. Kyle Stowers reached safely when first baseman Mead’s throw to Griffin covering first went high, allowing Lopez to score on the error.
The Nationals put runners on first and second in the second inning, but Snelling induced a double-play groundout from Keibert Ruiz.
In the seventh, Nasim Nunez drew a leadoff walk and stole second. Mead walked with two outs, but Brady House grounded into a forceout.
Lopez singled with one out in the eighth but was thrown out attempting to steal second.
