Crews' 10th-Inning Heroics Lift Nationals Past Marlins 5-4
Source: ABC News Sports. Casualplayhub News adds summary, context, and editorial framing while linking back to the original report.
WASHINGTON — Rookie Dylan Crews delivered a dramatic two-out RBI single in the 10th inning, lifting the Washington Nationals to a 5-4 victory over the Miami Marlins on Saturday afternoon at Nationals Park. The win extended Washington's winning streak to three games, their longest since Aug. 7-9, and kept them within striking distance in the playoff race.
Crews's heroics came after Miami's bullpen had silenced the Nationals' bats for 21 consecutive batters. The streak began in the fourth inning and continued until the 10th, when Michael Petersen (3-4) lost command. With automatic runner Nasim Nuñez on second, Petersen walked José Tena and Daylen Lile to load the bases. Crews then stepped to the plate and scalded a ground ball to the right side, where second baseman Xavier Edwards dove but couldn't corral it. The ball trickled into the outfield, allowing Nuñez to trot home with the winning run.
Orlando Ribalta (1-2) pitched a perfect 10th inning to secure his first major league victory in his 70th career appearance. The right-hander retired the Marlins in order, striking out one, to seal the walk-off win.
Washington starter Cade Cavalli had a promising outing cut short. The right-hander tossed four hitless innings, striking out eight and walking three, but exited after being struck on the right ankle by a 93 mph ground ball off the bat of Javier Sanoja in the fourth. Cavalli managed to recover and throw out Sanoja at first, but he limped noticeably back to the dugout. The team later announced that Cavalli was experiencing right calf discomfort. His status for his next start remains uncertain.
The Nationals jumped ahead early against Miami ace Sandy Alcantara. In the third inning, with runners on base, Crews hit a slow dribbler toward the mound. Catcher Joe Mack charged and attempted an underhand toss to first base, but his throw sailed past first baseman Kyle Stowers, allowing two runs to score. Crews advanced to third on the error and later scored on a single by Brady House. Jorbit Vivas followed with an RBI double, pushing the lead to 4-0.
Miami's offense struggled to generate any traction against Cavalli and the Washington bullpen, managing only one hit through the first 6 2/3 innings. That changed in the seventh when Leo JimĂ©nez singled. AgustĂn RamĂrez walked, and Stowers ripped a two-run double to cut the deficit to 4-2. Brad Lord then entered from the bullpen, and on his second pitch, Heriberto Hernández crushed a towering home run to left-center field, landing in the visitor's bullpen and tying the game at 4-4.
Alcantara, making his 198th career start for Miami, passed Ricky Nolasco for the franchise record. He allowed four runs (three earned) over six innings, striking out three and walking two. Despite the error behind him, he kept the Marlins in the game, but his offense failed to capitalize until the late innings.
The game remained deadlocked until the 10th, when the Nationals finally broke through against Petersen. The win was a testament to Washington's resilience, as they overcame a dominant stretch of pitching from Miami's bullpen and a late collapse from their own relievers.
Washington will look to complete a series sweep on Sunday when they send rookie left-hander Andrew Alvarez (2-6, 3.72 ERA) to the mound. Miami counters with right-hander Janson Junk (6-8, 4.21 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 1:35 p.m.
Article commentary
Saturday's contest provided a microcosm of both teams' recent trajectories. The Washington Nationals, a club that has struggled to string together consistent wins, showed newfound resilience in their third straight victory. For a team that had not won three in a row since early August, this mini-streak could signal a late-season surge—or at least a morale boost heading into the final month of the regular season. The performance of rookie Dylan Crews continues to be a bright spot. The 22-year-old outfielder, called up in mid-August, has exhibited a knack for clutch hitting. His 10th-inning single, coming after Miami's bullpen had retired 21 consecutive Nationals, demonstrated poise beyond his years. More importantly, it highlighted a growing ability to produce in high-leverage situations—a trait that could make him a cornerstone of the franchise for years to come. Cade Cavalli's early exit, however, is a concern. The young right-hander has battled injuries throughout his career, and any calf issue could derail his momentum. The Nationals will likely exercise caution, especially given they are not in a playoff position to rush him back. His eight strikeouts in four hitless innings showed the electric stuff that made him a top prospect, but durability remains a question mark. On the Miami side, the loss stings particularly because they had all the momentum after Hernández's game-tying homer. The Marlins' bullpen, which had been nearly flawless for six innings, unraveled in the 10th with two walks that ultimately cost them the game. Michael Petersen, who had been effective earlier in the season, now has a 3.44 ERA and has struggled with command in recent outings. The bullpen depth, a strength for much of the year, is showing cracks. Sandy Alcantara continued to rewrite the franchise record books, but his outing was overshadowed by defensive miscues. The error by catcher Joe Mack was uncharacteristic, but it also highlighted a broader issue: the Marlins' defense has not been as sharp as last season, ranking in the middle of the pack in fielding percentage. For a team that relies on pitching and defense, these lapses are costly. Looking ahead, both teams are at a crossroads. The Nationals are playing spoiler roles while evaluating young talent. The Marlins, hovering near .500 at 68-68, are still technically in the wild-card race but need to string together wins quickly. Sunday's series finale offers a chance for Miami to regain momentum, but Washington's young arms are showing they can compete with any lineup. From a broader perspective, this game underscores the unpredictability of baseball. Twenty-one consecutive batters retired, and yet the game was decided by two walks and a single. The Marlins' inability to close out the 10th inning will be a bitter pill to swallow, but it also reflects the thin margins that separate winning from losing in the major leagues.