Suzuki, Nats bounce back, bop Marlins 15-0 to split twinbill

MIAMI (AP) — Despite a blowout loss, the Miami Marlins will embark on their first meaningful week to close a season since their 2003 World Series championship run.

Kurt Suzuki homered and doubled to bounce back from a game-ending strikeout in the opener, and the Washington Nationals routed the playoff-contending Marlins 15-0 Sunday to split a doubleheader.

In the opener, Marlins reliever Brandon Kintzler fanned Suzuki with the bases loaded to preserve a 2-1 win.

The split kept Miami a game ahead of Philadelphia for second place in the NL East. The top two teams in each division make the playoffs, along with two wild-card clubs in each league.

“You’re not going to roll your way in, you know it’s going to be like this," Miami manager Don Mattingly said. “Every game is a grind. Every game is a battle. You’ve got put every game behind you, good or bad.”

“If you’ve been around enough, played in enough of them and coached enough of them, pennant races – you know this is what you’re in for," he said.

Trea Turner homered on the first pitch of the second game and Michael A. Taylor, Asdrubal Cabrera and Victor Robles also connected for Washington. Juan Soto had three hits and scored four times.

“This game is unbelievable," Washington manager Dave Martinez said. “That’s why we love to come out here. That’s why they love to play it. First game, we can’t score any runs. We had opportunities. The second game, we score a bunch.”

Ben Braymer (1-0) pitched one-hit ball for five innings. He walked three and struck out four.

Suzuki and Taylor hit solo shots in the third and chased Braxton Garrett (1-1). The left-hander, who was called up as the 29th man for the doubleheader, allowed five runs on five hits and two walks.

“It’s just been a weird...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Suzuki-Nats-bounce-back-bop-Marlins-15-0-to-15582498.php