The Miami Marlins dropped their penultimate game of the season 5-1 to the Washington Nationals on Saturday.
After a 15-run, 22-hit game a day earlier, the Marlins struggled to put anything together against Stephen Strasburg and a group of relievers. It was very reminiscent of the first game of Friday's doubleheader when Doug Fister held Miami to only three hits. In this one, the Marlins had four hits but half came in the final inning.
Nathan Eovaldi ended his season with a solid start albeit with a loss attached to it. Eovaldi went seven strong innings and allowed only a pair of runs. Those were enough however as Miami could not get anything going offensively.
Eovaldi finishes with a 6-14 record to go along with a 4.37 E.R.A. The record would make it seem as if Eovaldi had a poor year but he had several good outings along the way. Eovaldi will head into 2015 as a member of the starting rotation once again.
The Nationals extended their lead in the eighth inning when they plated three runs against Carter Capps. The Marlins would turn to Anthony DeSclafani to finish the inning which he did with two quick strikeouts.
Justin Bour picked up a single in the ninth to continue a hot series for the first baseman. Jeff Mathis doubled and Casey McGehee singled twice for the other two hits. Mathis now has seven doubles of the year and his season is likely over. With the emergence of J.T. Realmuto and the contract of Jarrod Saltalamacchia, it remains to be seen if Mathis will play in Miami next season.
Miami loaded the bases in the ninth inning on a pair of singles and an error. With two outs, the Nationals would commit another error on what looked like a game-ending play. That error resulted in Miami's only run of the game.
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The Marlins will finish the regular season on Sunday with Henderson Alvarez on the mound. The right-hander also pitched the finale of 2013 when he completed a no-hitter.
