Nationals at Marlins
The Miami Marlins enjoyed an offensive explosion on Saturday against the National League's premier pitcher and clinched their first series win of the season. The Marlins will try to pull off their first sweep when they host the Washington Nationals in the finale on Sunday.
Miami totaled 48 runs in its first 19 games and was shut out in back-to-back losses before scoring three runs without an RBI hit in a 3-2 victory in Friday's opener, only to pound Max Scherzer in Saturday's 9-3 triumph. The Marlins, who fired hitting coach Mike Pagliarulo after Friday's game, totaled 11 hits - five for extra bases - on Saturday as veteran outfielder Curtis Granderson snapped out of a deep slump with a pair of hits while Brian Anderson and Starlin Castro added two hits apiece. The Nationals recorded 10 hits on Saturday but left nine runners on base and lost slugger Anthony Rendon after he was hit by a pitch on the elbow in the third inning. Washington will try to bounce back on Sunday behind right-hander Stephen Strasburg while the Marlins turn to righty Trevor Richards in search of the sweep.
TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Washington), FS Florida (Miami)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Stephen Strasburg (1-1, 5.56 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Trevor Richards (0-2, 3.57)
Strasburg is having some trouble keeping the ball in the yard of late and served up a total of five home runs in 10 innings over his last two outings. The San Francisco Giants reached the former No. 1 overall pick for three homers among six hits and four runs on Tuesday to hand Strasburg his first loss. Strasburg had little trouble carving up the Marlins in three starts last season, posting a 2-0 record with a 1.80 ERA.
Richards turned in three straight quality starts to begin the season before getting knocked around for five runs on four hits and four walks across 4 2/3 innings against the Chicago Cubs on Monday. The 25-year-old is up to 14 free passes in 22 2/3 innings with 21 strikeouts. Richards made three starts against Washington during his 2018 rookie campaign and did not earn a decision while posting a 3.68 ERA.
WALK-OFFS
1. Rendon had a 17-game hitting streak come to an end and is day-to-day.
2. Marlins SS Miguel Rojas is 4-for-7 with a pair of doubles and two runs scored in the series.
3. Miami promoted Jeff Livesey to interim hitting coach after dismissing Pagliarulo.