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Getting back to five hundred no longer needs to be a goal for the Miami Marlins.
Following a 3-0 victory over the Washington Nationals on Tuesday night, the Marlins find themselves at 53-53 just a day away from the trade deadline.
In the battle of aces, Henderson Alvarez was able to outlast Stephen Strasburg, pitching seven innings and not allowing a run while walking and striking out four.
Miami, despite being unable to take advantage of several early opportunities, got on the board first in the sixth, when Jordany Valdespin led off with a single and scored on a Giancarlo Stanton RBI double down the left field line.
The Marlins were able to add a pair in the eighth against Washington's bullpen, when Reed Johnson scored on an RBI double off the bat of Christian Yelich and Stanton singled home Yelich for his second RBI on the night.
Alvarez pitched well against the Nationals' lineup, notably pitching around a bases loaded and nobody out situation in the second.
Bryan Morris and Mike Dunn were able to hold onto the Marlins' three run edge, and Steve Cishek was able to close things in the ninth despite allowing a pair of base runners. Miami will go for the sweep on Wednesday afternoon at Marlins Park.
Source: FanGraphs
Attendance: 22,672
Hero of The Game: Henderson Alvarez (+.411 WPA)
Goat of The Game: Casey McGehee (-.087 WPA)
Play of The Game: Giancarlo Stanton doubled in the sixth, allowing Jordany Valdespin to score. (+.123 WPA)