In a display of pure dominance on the mound, Foster Griffin delivered the best performance of his season to date, leading the Washington Nationals to a gritty 3-2 victory over the Miami Marlins on Friday night at loanDepot park. Griffin’s career-high nine strikeouts anchored a defensive masterclass that allowed the Nationals to secure their third consecutive win and continue their momentum on the road.
Foster Griffin Sets the Tone with Season-High 9 Strikeouts
The story of the night was undoubtedly the composure and command of Foster Griffin. After a rocky first inning where he surrendered two runs—only one of which was earned—the left-hander settled into a rhythm that the Marlins simply could not solve. Griffin (4-1) tossed seven masterful innings, scattering just four hits and walking one while fanning nine batters to set a new season and career high.
Griffin was particularly lethal in the later stages of his outing, showcasing the poise of a veteran. He retired the final eight batters he faced, a stretch that included striking out five of those hitters. His efficiency was on full display as he threw 103 pitches, 64 of which were strikes, effectively lowering his season ERA to an impressive 2.12. By the time he handed the ball to the bullpen, Griffin had silenced a Miami lineup that had entered the game looking to snap a losing skid.
Early Offensive Fireworks: Jacob Young and CJ Abrams Strike Fast
While Griffin dominated the middle innings, the Washington offense provided all the support he would need in a lightning-fast first inning. The Nationals wasted no time attacking Marlins starter Robby Snelling, who was making his highly anticipated Major League debut. The young southpaw was greeted rudely by a Washington lineup that appeared locked in from the first pitch.
- Curtis Mead ignited the rally with a one-out double to left field, setting the stage for the middle of the order.
- CJ Abrams followed with a sharp RBI single to center, driving Mead home to put Washington on the board.
- Jacob Young then delivered the definitive blow of the game, launching a towering two-run home run to left field.
Young’s third home run of the season gave the Nationals a 3-0 lead before many fans had even found their seats. Though Snelling (0-1) would eventually settle down to pitch five innings, the damage done in the opening frame proved insurmountable for the home team.
Marlins Respond Early but Struggle Late
The Marlins showed signs of life in the bottom of the first, quickly answering Washington's outburst. Xavier Edwards led off the inning with a solo home run to left-center field, his third of the year, to cut the deficit to 3-1. Moments later, Otto Lopez doubled and eventually raced home on a throwing error by Mead at first base, narrowing the gap to 3-2.
Despite the early pressure, Griffin’s adjustments prevented the Marlins from ever finding that equalizing run. Miami’s speed was a factor throughout the night, particularly with Nasim Nuñez, who singled, walked, and swiped two bases to increase his major league-leading total to 16. However, even with runners in scoring position, the Marlins went 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position, leaving six men on base over the course of the evening.
Ninth Inning Drama and the Road Ahead
The final frame brought plenty of tension for the Washington faithful. After Brad Lord provided 1.2 innings of perfect relief, a throwing error by shortstop CJ Abrams allowed Javier Sanoja to reach base with two outs in the ninth. With the tying run on first, the Nationals turned to PJ Poulin to close the door.
Poulin walked pinch-hitter Heriberto Hernández to put the winning run on base, but he remained calm under pressure. He induced a forceout from Leo Jimenez to end the game, securing his first save of the season and the second of his career. The victory moves the Nationals to 18-20 as they look to climb back toward the .500 mark.
The series continues on Saturday afternoon as the Nationals send right-hander Zack Littell (1-4, 7.24 ERA) to the mound against Miami's Janson Junk (2-3, 2.82 ERA). Washington will look to secure the series win, while the Marlins hope to find an offensive spark to turn their fortunes around at home.
Sources & Original Reporting
