Following the theme of the prior two games of their series against the Washington Nationals, the Miami Marlins jumped on the Nationals’ starting pitcher. The latest victim? Trevor Williams.

Williams allowed nine runs (eight earned) in four innings on Saturday. He also allowed four home runs—two solo home runs to Jake Burger and three-run knocks to Jesús Sánchez and Bryan De La Cruz.

The Marlins have put up 17 total runs against starting pitching in the first three games of this series. Aside from openers for bullpen games and an injured Tony Gonsolin earlier in the month, the Marlins had only scored 26 runs against starting pitching since Aug. 6.

Eight of Miami’s starters recorded a hit, with De La Cruz and Luis Arraez each getting four. De La Cruz entered the day slashing .306/.362/.529 in Sept./Oct. in his career.  For Arraez, it was his seventh game of the year with four or more hits.

Working with a big cushion from the first inning onward, Marlins starting pitcher Johnny Cueto had a solid outing. He allowed three runs and five hits in five-plus innings. He ended his day by giving up a leadoff home run to Nationals right fielder Lane Thomas. Making his seventh start for Miami, Cueto earned his elusive first win.

Marlins reliever Geoff Hartlieb, making his first appearance in this current MLB stint, pitched three scoreless innings.

JT Chargois recorded two outs in the ninth before allowing three consecutive hits and two runs. After a mound visit by pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre Jr., Chargois was able to get the final out and avoid forcing the Marlins to burn another bullpen arm to close out the game.

The Marlins are now 10-2 against Washington this year, and 6-0 at Nationals Park. Sunday will be their final head-to-head meeting of 2023.

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