The Sports Xchange
Jun 21, 2017
MIAMI -- The Miami Marlins, who were being no-hit and shut out for 7 1/3 innings by Max Scherzer, rallied to defeat the Washington Nationals 2-1 on Wednesday afternoon at Marlins Park.
Scherzer (8-5) had his attempt at a third career no-hitter broken up by backup catcher A.J. Ellis, who hit a comebacker for an infield single with one out in the eighth inning.
Ellis, who is hitting just .204, didn't hit the ball particularly hard, but the ball bounced off Scherzer's glove, and shortstop Trea Turner couldn't make the play in time.
Pinch-hitter J.T. Realmuto reached on a two-out fielding error credited to first baseman Adam Lind, who could not come up with Turner's low throw. Dee Gordon was hit by a pitch to load the bases, and Miami got on the board on a high wild pitch by Scherzer.
That tying run was scored by pitcher Jose Urena, who was used as a pinch runner for Ellis.
Giancarlo Stanton gave Miami the lead with an RBI single. Gordon was thrown out at the plate by left fielder Ryan Raburn to end the threat.
Scherzer went eight innings and allowed two unearned runs and two hits. He also hit two batters and threw a wild pitch.
He fanned 11 batters, marking his sixth consecutive game with double-figure strikeouts.
Miami's Christian Yelich drew a five-pitch walk in the first inning and Derek Dietrich was hit by a pitch in the second. After that, Scherzer retired 18 consecutive batters.
Washington (43-29) completed a 4-3 road trip.
The Marlins (32-38) evened its season series against the Nationals, 3-3. Kyle Barraclough (3-1) earned the win in relief, and A.J. Ramos pitched a scoreless ninth for his 10th save.
Washington's only run was scored by Raburn, who slugged a solo homer to left on a 1-0 pitch in the fifth inning. It was his first homer of the season.
The homer was allowed by Miami starter Dan Straily, who was otherwise outstanding but got a no-decision. He allowed just three hits, one walk and one run in six innings, striking out six. Straily has allowed just one run in the past two games, covering 12 1/3 innings, and is 19-12 since the start of last season.
NOTES: Nationals RF Bryce Harper went 0-for-4 and had his career-best 13-game hit streak snapped. ... Nationals 3B Anthony Rendon (neck stinger) returned after missing one game. ... Nationals CF Michael Taylor (illness) was a late scratch. ... Washington rested C Matt Wieters, 1B Ryan Zimmerman and 2B Daniel Murphy. ... Marlins 3B Martin Prado (hamstring) could return as soon as Tuesday when the New York Mets pay a visit. ... Marlins SS Adeiny Hechavarria (oblique) is set to return in early July. ... LHP Trevor Rogers, the Marlins' first-round pick last week, is expected to sign for a $3.4 million bonus. ... Starting Thursday, Miami will host the 2016 World Series champion Chicago Cubs in a four-game series. ... Washington returns home to face the Cincinnati Reds. Washington will start RHP Stephen Strasburg (8-2) against Cincinnati RHP Luis Castillo, a former Marlins prospect who will make his major league debut.