Another day sees another Nats starter shut down Miami

What do you get when your team scores all of two runs throughout a three-game series? Unless that team pitches like the 1907 Cubs, the answer is usually "swept." The Marlins and their feeble offense would succumb to the norm after the Nationals completed the series sweep with their 3-1 victory on Father's Day. 

Miami is now 0-7 against the Nationals in 2024 and falls to a season-worst 25 games under .500 at 23-48. Washington, on the other hand, improves to one game under .500 at 35-36.

Upon the conclusion of Sunday's game, the Marlins saw themselves tied with the White Sox for the worst OPS in the sport (.630). Miami also joined the White Sox for a first-place tie with their twentieth game of one or fewer runs scored. Miami is now 2-18 in such games this season.  

"It's not a lack of effort, lack of preparation," said manager Skip Schumaker. "Just a lack of execution right now, but we'll keep going."

That lack of execution can be seen in the club's efforts with runners in scoring position, as Miami went just 2-for-17 in those situations over the weekend. One of those hits proved a rare bright spot for Miami when Jazz Chisholm Jr.'s fifth-inning single plated the team's only run of the day.

Parker Punches 

A day after DJ Herz authored a career-best 13 strikeouts, Nationals rookie Mitchell Parker—making his second career start against the Marlins—held Miami to just one run over 6 innings. In 12 starts this season, Parker owns a 3.06 ERA, including a 2.31 mark in four June starts. In 10 innings pitched against Miami, Parker has allowed just two runs. 

Parker's gem proved the latest in what was a dream weekend for Nationals starting pitching, as the trio of MacKenzie Gore and the aforementioned Herz and Parker combined to allow just two runs and strike out 27 over 19 innings pitched. 

Luzardo Puts Forth Solid Effort

Despite waking up with what Schumaker referred to as "a stiff back," Jesús Luzardo gave the Marlins 5 innings of two-run ball. 

"I just feel it is our job to go out there. It is frustrating not having my best stuff, but somewhat content in being able to keep my team in it," noted Luzardo. 

Averaging a career-low 92.1 mph on his fastball, Luzardo worked around five hits and three walks, needing just 77 pitches to get through his 5 innings of work.

Washington broke through early, though, when Lane Thomas opened the scoring in the first with his fourth career home run against the Miami left-hander.

After Miami tied the game in the top of the fifth, Jacob Young, who robbed Otto Lopez of a hit in the top half, put Washington ahead for good with his first career home run. 

Despite the strong effort, Luzardo's season ERA sits at 5.00 through 12 starts.

Of Note

- Washington's 0.67 ERA is tied for their lowest against the Marlins over a three-game series since 9/4-9/6/17. 

- Lane Thomas' 1.581 OPS against Luzardo is the highest such mark among the 55 hitters with at least 10 career plate appearances against the Marlins lefty.

Looking Ahead

Returning to Miami in the midst of a five-game losing streak, the Marlins will welcome the playoff-hopeful St. Louis Cardinals for a three-game series beginning Monday. Sonny Gray (8-4, 3.01 ERA) will take the ball for St. Louis in the series opener, while Braxton Garrett (2-2, 6.10 ERA) opposes him. Garrett will look to right the ship on what has been both a rough start to the season and against these Cardinals, noted in a 6.14 ERA over three starts against the Redbirds.

First pitch from loanDepot park is slated for 6:40 EST.