The Miami Marlins turned to their bullpen on Sunday and found no relief in a 4-2 loss to the Washington Nationals.
Washington posted three big runs in the seventh inning of what was a tie game when the pen took over. Tom Koehler who started the game was tagged with the loss due to the first inherited runner crossing the plate. The loss however was more due to the relievers than Koehler himself.
Koehler went 6.1 innings in which he scattered eight hits, four walks and two runs. The right-hander also struck out six in what was overall a strong performance. Koehler started the game off in a rough manner but settled down and gave Miami a good effort.
Chris Narveson was the first arm out of the pen in the troubled seventh and the veteran did nothing to secure his roster spot. Narveson who made the team due to an injured Mike Dunn was charged with two runs and allowed a hit and a walk while retiring nobody.
Edwin Jackson did not fare much better as he gave up a pair of hits while picking up two outs. Jackson allowed Narveson's inherited runners to score and walks away with a 0.00 E.R.A that does not tell the whole story.
Dee Gordon's legs gave Miami a boost early and took another way later. Gordon collected his first triple of the season to lead-off the game. Later on, the second baseman was caught stealing which put an abrupt ending to a potential rally. Gordon is 0-2 on steal attempts this season thus far.
Miami's first run of the day was courtesy of Giancarlo Stanton who knocked in Gordon with a single following the three-base hit. Miami would threaten several times during the game, but came away empty.
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Christian Yelich would take Washington closer Jonathan Papelbon out of the park in the ninth to shrink the deficit. The home run which landed in the right-field seats was the first of the year for Yelich.
The Marlins will head to New York for a three-game series with the Mets that begins Monday. Jarred Cosart is scheduled to open the series for Miami.
