Nationals at Marlins
The Miami Marlins got just enough from their struggling offense to snap a four-game slide on Friday, though that offense needed quite a bit of help from the other side. The Marlins will try to record an RBI hit and earn a second consecutive victory when they host the Washington Nationals in the second of a three-game series on Saturday.
Miami totaled three runs in their four-game slide and were shut out in the last two before scratching across runs on an error, a bases-loaded walk and a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch in Friday's 3-2 triumph. The Marlins scored three or fewer runs in 10 of their last 11 games and rank last in the majors with 51 runs - an average of 2.55. The Nationals average 5.61 runs but went 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position on Friday and left four runners on base to narrowly miss out on a three-game winning streak. Washington will toss ace Max Scherzer at the struggling Miami offense on Friday while the Marlins counter with righty Jose Urena.
TV: 6:10 p.m. ET, MASN 2 (Washington), FS Florida (Miami)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Max Scherzer (1-2, 3.33 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Jose Urena (0-3, 6.53)
Scherzer lasted a season-high eight innings against Pittsburgh on Sunday but did not factor in the decision while allowing three runs and seven hits. The former Cy Young Award winner is up to 35 strikeouts in 27 total innings and induced a season-high 14 ground balls against the Pirates. Scherzer had his way with Miami in 2018, going 5-0 with a 2.84 ERA in five starts against the division rivals.
Urena turned in his best effort of the young season against Philadelphia on Sunday, scattering one run and seven hits across seven innings while striking out seven without a walk. The Dominican Republic native settled for a no decision in that turn after serving up 14 earned runs over 13 2/3 innings in three losses to begin the season. Urena was sharp against the Nationals in 2018, going 2-0 with a 2.14 ERA in three starts while limiting them to a .121 batting average.
WALK-OFFS
1. Nationals 3B Anthony Rendon doubled on Friday to extend his hitting streak to 17 straight games.
2. Miami OF Curtis Granderson is 2-for-30 with 13 strikeouts in his last nine games.
3. Washington on Friday placed RHP Austen Williams (shoulder) on the 10-day IL and recalled RHP Austin Adams.