Alcantara implodes in 6th as Marlins get swept

A five-run, five-hit sixth inning paid huge dividends for the Nationals Thursday night at Marlins Park, as Washington completed a three-game sweep of the Miami Marlins, 8-5.

The Marlins faced Stephen Strasburg at home for the second time this season. With no score heading into the bottom half of the third inning, leadoff man Miguel Rojas doubled home Alcantara and Bryan Holaday, handing the Marlins an early 2-0 advantage. Harold Ramírez then brought him home with an RBI groundout. Rojas finished the night 4-for-5 with three doubles, two RBIs and a stolen base to bolster his NL All-Star case.

Strasburg allowed four runs on seven hits in seven innings tossed.

Sandy Alcantara came into the game hot, having allowed just five earned runs in his previous three outings. He held the Nats without a hit until a two-out solo homer from 20-year-old Juan Soto in the fourth.

Then, the righty was hit hard in the top half of the sixth inning. Both Matt Adams and Víctor Robles clobbered no-doubters.

Alcantara, in six innings of work, gave up six runs on seven hits, including those three homers.

The Nationals bullpen, which is worst in the majors in terms of ERA (6.36), handled Miami from there. Wander Suero struck out the side on 12 pitches in the eighth and lefty Sean Doolittle worked around a run, hit and walk to finish things off.

Veteran right-hander Sergio Romo had an injury scare in the ninth. He was trampled by Trea Turner while attempting to cover first base and was removed from the game before completing the inning.

Afterward, Don Mattingly said Romo is day-to-day with a left knee contusion.

The Marlins will attempt to turn the page and refresh, welcoming the Philadelphia Phillies to Marlins Park for a three-game weekend series. Elieser Hernandez will step on the mound Friday, still seeking his first victory of 2019 (0-4). The righty surrendered three runs his last time out at Philadelphia, securing a no-decision. The Phillies, now riding a four-game winning streak after sweeping the New York Mets, are expected to send out Vince Velasquez, who has made starts in the rotation as well as relief appearances this season. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m.

Nationals vs. Marlins box score (Baseball Theater)

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