Edwards hits go-ahead single to lift Marlins to win over Nationals and series sweep

Marlins Complete Sweep Behind Edwards' Key Hit

Xavier Edwards hit a go-ahead two-run single in the fifth inning to lift the Miami Marlins to a 6-2 victory over the Washington Nationals on Sunday, completing a three-game series sweep at home. The result, reported across accounts from the Associated Press, TSN, WJLA and WTOP, left the Marlins at 41-25 in home games this season.

Otto López finished with two walks and a sacrifice fly, while Joe Mack doubled and drove in two runs to help fuel the Miami offense. Edwards snapped a 1-all tie when his line drive with the bases loaded scored López and Agustin Ramirez. The rally began when López drew a two-out walk and Ramirez singled against Washington starter Jackson Kent, who fell to 0-2. Trevor Williams then relieved Kent and walked Heriberto Hernández, setting the stage for Edwards' decisive single.

Michael Petersen earned the win, improving to 3-3 after recording the final out of the fifth inning. Marlins reliever Jack Ralston followed with two scoreless innings in his major league debut.

Early Lead, Tie and Response

Heriberto Hernández put Miami ahead 1-0 with an RBI double in the first inning. Washington evened the score in the fourth on Dylan Crews' run-scoring double. Nationals center fielder Jacob Young prevented further damage in the third by scaling the wall to rob Hernández of another extra-base hit.

After Edwards' two-run single made it 3-1, Jorbit Vivas answered for Washington with an RBI double in the sixth that cut the deficit to 3-2. Miami responded immediately as Mack delivered a run-scoring double and López added a sacrifice fly. Mack later pushed the lead to 6-2 with an RBI fielder's choice in the eighth.

Kent, making his third career start, allowed three runs and four hits. Marlins starter Janson Junk limited the Nationals to one run and two hits over 4 2/3 innings.

Nationals star shortstop CJ Abrams sat out his fourth consecutive game because of a left ankle sprain.

Tribute to Tommy Hutton

Before the first pitch, the Marlins honored longtime television analyst Tommy Hutton, who will retire at the end of the season. The 80-year-old Hutton has called Marlins games for 28 seasons after a 12-year major league playing career with four different clubs. He began his broadcasting work with an analyst role for the Montreal Expos shortly after his final game in 1981 and later called games for the New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays and ESPN.

Looking Ahead

The Nationals open a four-game home series against the Colorado Rockies on Monday, with right-hander Cade Cavalli (11-5, 3.22 ERA) scheduled to start. Right-hander Ryan Feltner (5-7, 5.97) is listed to start for Colorado.

Miami begins a three-game home series against the Boston Red Sox on Monday. Right-hander Sandy Alcantara (13-8, 3.46) is set to take the mound for the Marlins, while Boston plans to start left-hander Ranger Suarez (5-3, 3.41).

The sweep capped a strong home stand for Miami and extended Washington's recent struggles on the road as both clubs turn their attention to the next series.