Once again the Washington Nationals lost to the Florida Marlins 2-5 July 28. The Marlins swept the Nationals, who have now lost five games in a row.
The Marlins struck first once again in the third inning, as left fielder Logan Morrison hit into a fielder’s choice to first base, in which Nats’ second baseman Danny Espinosa threw the ball into the ground for an E4, allowing Emilio Bonifacio to score from third and give Florida a 0-1 lead.
It was clear early on that Nationals’ starter John Lannan did not have his good stuff on the mound. He was around 80 pitches heading into the fourth, but Nats’ Manager Davey Johnson allowed him to throw a lot of pitches.
“He was all over the place,” Johnson said. “That’s very unusual for him. I took him about as far as he’s been all year just to save my bullpen.”
But the Nats tied the game at one as with one out and the bases loaded. Right fielder Jayson Werth hit a popup to right that fell between the second baseman and right fielder, allowing Espinosa to score.
Florida regained the lead in the top of the fourth on a sacrifice bunt by starting pitcher Brad Hand that made it 1-2 Marlins.
Marlins’ right fielder Mike Stanton hit his 24th homer of the season to center field in the top of the sixth. It was his second in two games. Bonifacio hit an RBI single later in the inning to put Florida up 1-4.
Werth helped the Nationals get closer with an RBI single in the bottom of the seventh to put them down by only two.
But Marlins’ center fielder Mike Cameron scored a run in the eighth inning thanks to a groundout off the bat of catcher Brett Hayes.
Marlins’ closer Leo Nunez came in and closed out the game in the ninth.
There is no doubt that the Nationals are tired of this losing streak and Johnson’s patience is wearing thin.
“Things just aren’t going our way. That’s all I can tell you,” he said.
The Nationals will try to get things going against the New York Mets, who come to D.C. Friday for a three game series. Chien Ming Wang will pitch for Washington on Friday. He has not pitched in over two years due to shoulder injuries.
