MIAMI – Jorge Soler hit a walk-off two-run homer and the Miami Marlins rallied to beat the Washington Nationals 5-4 on Tuesday night.
The Marlins were down to their last out when Garrett Cooper doubled off Nationals reliever Hunter Harvey (2-1). Luis Arraez singled to score Cooper and pull Miami within 4-3. Pinch-runner Jon Berti stole second before Soler drove a 3-2 pitch by Harvey over the wall in left-center for his 10th homer and the come-from-behind win. It was also Soler’s first career walk-off shot.
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“I’m 31-years-old and wondered if I would ever do it,” Soler said.
Arraez and Cooper each had two hits, Andrew Nardi (3-1) pitched a scoreless ninth and earned the victory for the Marlins.
Soler went hitless in three previous opportunities with runners in scoring position before the ninth inning blast.
“Baseball always gives you opportunities and today it gave me four opportunities,” Soler said. “It feels really good to finally get the hit to help the team. I think you can see around that everyone’s enjoying the moment.”
Cooper had his second consecutive multi-hit game since returning from the injured list because of an inner ear infection. He began the late rally as his drive off an 0-2 pitch from Harvey bounced to the wall in left-center.
“You throw in three hits in the matter of five minutes and come away with a win like that, you don’t get too many of those,” Cooper said.
Harvey has squandered three save chances in four opportunities.
“He just couldn’t finish the pitches,” Nationals manager Dave Martinez said. “Throwing your best stuff, if you got behind 3-2 to a really good power hitter, he had to throw a strike. Left it on the plate and he hit it hard.”
Trailing 2-1, the Nationals scored three runs in the eighth inning against relievers Huascar Brazoban and Steven Okert. Jeimer Candelario hit a game-tying single off Brazoban, and Dominic Smith tagged Okert for a two-run single and a 4-2 lead.
Washington starter Josiah Gray gave up seven hits, struck out five and walked three. The right-hander escaped a two-out bases-loaded threat in the seventh by retiring Soler on a force out.
“I’m just really proud how they went about that ninth inning, not only because of the walk-off,” Marlins manager Skip Schumaker said. “Even if Soler gets out there, we gave ourselves a pretty good shot to win the game.”
Miami scored twice in the second on a fielding error by Gray to take a 2-0 lead. Jean Segura and Peyton Burdick hit one-out singles and Nick Fortes walked before Joey Wendle hit a grounder to first baseman Smith. Smith forced Fortes out at second, but Gray dropped shortstop C.J. Abrams’ relay throw as he covered first, allowing Segura and Burdick to score.
Washington’s Lane Thomas hit a solo homer in the sixth inning that cut the deficit to 2-1. Thomas drove an 0-1 pitch from Marlins starter Jesús Luzardo 364 feet over the wall in right for his fifth homer of the season.
Luzardo was lifted after six innings. The left-hander allowed one run, five hits, struck out seven and walked one
Earlier Tuesday, the Marlins placed star centerfielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. on the 10-day injured list because of a right toe turf injury.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Nationals: RHP Chad Kuhl (right foot soreness) showed no ill effects from his bullpen session, and will be re-evaluated for a possible rehab outing.
Marlins: OF Avisaíl García (left back tightness) is expected to resume baseball activities in the next couple of days. ... RHP Johnny Cueto (right biceps tightness) has not been cleared to throw.
UP NEXT
LHP MacKenzie Gore (3-2, 3.29) will start the middle game of the series Wednesday against Marlins RHP Edward Cabrera (2-3, 5.35).
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