WASHINGTON (AP) — Jesús Aguilar hit a two-run home run in the first inning and scored in the seventh, Daniel Castano picked up his first win of the season and the Miami Marlins continued their domination of the Washington Nationals with a 5-3 victory Saturday night.
The Marlins have won 10 of 11 games against the Nationals in this season, but are 26-39 against everyone else.
Miami's latest win came in a sloppy game that included four throwing errors and a couple of wild pitches. Washington's Juan Soto also provided some holiday weekend fireworks with his 15th home run of the season.
Soto's homer was the only earned run charged to Castano (1-1), who was solid in striking out three and allowing four hits in five-plus innings. He and the Marlins bullpen got run support thanks to Aguilar's 2 for 5 performance, plus two runs driven in by Avisaíl García and another on a sacrifice fly by Miguel Rojas.
Second baseman Jon Berti also stole his major league-leading 25th base of the season, and designated hitter Garrett Cooper hit his 20th double. Steven Okert rode in on the the bullpen cart before striking out Soto and Josh Bell in a 1-2-3 eighth, and Tanner Scott pitched the ninth to pick up his ninth save of the year.
Nationals starter Jackson Tetreault (2-2) struggled with his command in giving up four earned runs on four hits and five walks in four innings. Tetreault threw just 44 of his 84 pitches for strikes and was a particularly rough 18 of 43 with his fastball.
UMP STAYS IN
Home-plate umpire Nic Lentz lost his mask on a sharp foul tip by Berti in the top of the sixth. Lentz was evaluated by a Nationals trainer before opting to put the mask back on and remain in the game.
ALCANTARA HONORED
Marlins right-hander Sandy Alcantara was named NL pitcher of the month for June after striking out 34 batters and posting a 1.89 ERA in 47 2/3 innings.
MARTINEZ, RIZZO EXTENDED
The Nationals picked up the 2023 contract options of manager Dave Martinez and general manager Mike Rizzo. The moves, while expected, are significant because the Lerner family is looking to sell the team, and this provides Martinez and Rizzo some security through that potential change.
“I think it does bring some continuity not only to this organization but to the players, as well, which is nice,” Martinez said. "It’s nice to know that we’re going to be together and that we’re going to continue to work the way we do.”
TRAINER'S ROOM
Marlins: Joey Wendle got the day off for monitoring after manager Don Mattingly said the infielder ran around the field more than anyone else on the team Friday in his first game back from a month on the injured list with a strained right hamstring. ... Rojas, who left the game Friday after running into Wendle and coming away with a stinger, was back in the lineup with Mattingly deeming him “good to go.”
Nationals: CF Victor Robles brushed off a bruised left shin that knocked him out in the fifth inning Friday, telling Martinez he felt fine and showing it by walking without a limp. Robles had a base hit and showed no ill effects in the field.
UP NEXT
RHP Pablo Lopez (5-4, 2.98 ERA) starts for the Marlins against RHP Erick Fedde (5-5, 4.40) and the Nationals in a 1:35 p.m. EDT start Sunday in the third game of a four-game series.
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