Marlins miss opportunities in 7-3 loss to Nationals
WASHINGTON (AP) — In what could be one of his final games for the Nationals, Bryce Harper added another accomplishment to his impressive resume.
Anthony Rendon homered and drove four runs, Harper reached 100 RBIs in a season for the first time and Washington beat the Miami Marlins 7-3.
Juan Soto and Matt Wieters also homered for the Nationals, who broke it open with four runs on three pitches in the fourth inning.
Harper started the big inning, driving in his 100th run with a sacrifice fly that scored Adam Eaton and put Washington ahead 3-1.
"I think for me it's just going out there and trying to score runs and doing the things I can. If I can get to 100 runs, 100 walks and 100 RBIs, it's pretty cool," said Harper, who has 126 walks and 99 runs scored. "I'll take that any day of the week."
His previous high was 99 RBIs in 2015, when he won the NL MVP Award. Harper, a pending free agent, got a standing ovation from the sparse, rain-soaked crowd and congratulations from his teammates.
Asked if he's thought about this possibly being his final home series at Nationals Park, Harper said: "I think for me if I'm worried about that, I'm not worried about my at-bats that night or the game. I've got two more games at home and we'll see what happens on Wednesday."
After Harper's milestone, Rendon and Soto homered back-to-back on the next two pitches from Sandy Alcantara (2-2). Rendon lofted a two-run shot down the left-field line, and Soto lined one into the visitors' bullpen in left-center to make it 6-1.
Rendon extended his on-base streak to 32 games, the longest active streak in the majors.
"He's Mr. Steady," manager Dave Martinez said of Rendon, who has 23 homers and 87 RBIs in 131 games. "His all-around game, defense, offense, he's the guy that keeps our offense together."
Justin Miller (7-1) allowed one unearned run in the fifth in relief of Stephen Strasburg, who was pulled after throwing 100 pitches over four innings. Strasburg gave up a run on three hits and four walks while striking out five and hitting a batter.
Strasburg hasn't lost since returning from the disabled list on Aug. 22.
Peter O'Brien had two hits for Miami, which had won three straight. The Marlins left 10 men on base, five in the first two innings.
"Yeah we had a lot of chances," Marlins manager Don Mattingly said. "(Strasburg) threw close to 40 (pitches) in the first and had guys out there. Even after they score we still got guys out there, have a chance to get right back in it there and not able to do anything."
Alcantara allowed six runs on seven hits and five walks in four innings.
The Nationals trailed 1-0 in the first when Rendon's double scored Eaton and Harper.
QUOTABLE
"It's sad that he doesn't get the recognition that he should as one of the best third basemen in the game. I think it's not fair because he definitely is a big-time player — a superstar player — every single day" — Harper on Rendon.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Marlins: Mattingly expects RHP Jose Urena, who experienced leg cramps last time out, to make his next scheduled start Friday in New York. "He ran yesterday," Mattingly said. "It looks like he's going to be fine. He's getting an extra day (Thursday) anyway. I think he'll start."
Nationals: RHP Tanner Roark went home Sunday to be with his wife after the recent birth of their third child. He is still slated to start Wednesday.
UP NEXT
Marlins: RHP Jeff Brigham (0-3, 5.84) makes his fourth major league start and first against Washington.
Nationals: RHP Max Scherzer (17-7, 2.57) needs 10 strikeouts to reach 300 for the season. He's 4-0 with a 2.67 ERA against the Marlins in 2018.
