Marlins at Nationals
The Washington Nationals were a season-worst 12 games under .500 and fading fast entering a four-game set with the Miami Marlins on May 24. The Nationals won three of four in that series to ignite a stretch in which they have gone 25-10, and they look to continue that momentum when they go for a three-game sweep of the visiting Marlins on Thursday morning.
Brian Dozier supplied all the offense Washington would need with a two-run blast in Wednesday's 3-1 victory, marking the franchise-record 17th straight game in which the team homered. Matt Adams added a solo shot for the Nationals, who improved to 8-1 against Miami during the 35-game stretch and moved a season-high three games above .500. The Marlins, who absorbed a three-game sweep by Washington last week, have scored only three runs in the first two games and went down swinging 16 times in Wednesday's defeat. Miguel Rojas had two of his team's six hits and is 9-for-12 in the last three matchups against the Nationals.
TV: 11:05 a.m. ET, MLB Network, FS Florida (Miami), MASN (Washington)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Elieser Hernandez (1-2, 4.07 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Aníbal Sánchez (4-6, 3.82)
Hernandez finally cracked the win column in his fifth appearance (fourth start) of the year versus Philadelphia on Friday, matching his season high with seven strikeouts and allowing two runs on three hits over 5 2/3 innings. The 24-year-old Venezuelan has yet to permit more than three runs or five hits but has been reached for four home runs over his last three turns. Hernandez was 0-1 with a 9.82 ERA in six appearances (one start) versus the Nationals in 2018.
Sanchez opened the season by dropping his first six decisions, including a five-start losing streak, but he has made a remarkable turnaround since returning from the injured list late last month. The 35-year-old Venezuelan improved to 4-0 over his last six turns by limiting Detroit to one run and six hits while striking out eight over six innings on Friday. Sanchez took the loss with 5 1/3 innings of three-run ball on April 19 at Miami, the team he was with for his first 6 1/2 seasons.
WALK-OFFS
1. Nationals SS Trea Turner has a five-game hitting streak versus Miami, including multiple hits in four straight.
2. Nationals OF Brian Anderson (elbow contusion) was used as a pinch-hitter Wednesday but will not start in the series finale.
3. Nationals RHP Max Scherzer, named the NL Pitcher of the Month, went on paternity leave but expects to make Saturday's scheduled start.