Foster Griffin Dominates in Nationals’ 3-2 Win Over Snelling’s Marlins

Foster Griffin was absolutely magnificent on Friday night at loanDepot park, and that’s the only way to describe what we witnessed. The Washington Nationals‘ starter set a career-high with nine strikeouts across seven innings of work, allowing just four hits and one earned run while walking only one. This wasn’t a guy throwing gas and hoping for the best, either. This was a pitcher in complete command, surgeon-like precision, carving up the Miami Marlins lineup like they owed him money.

The Nationals jumped all over Robby Snelling early, and while the Marlins’ rookie was making his Major League debut, you have to wonder if he’ll forget this outing anytime soon. In the first inning alone, Washington scored two runs. CJ Abrams ripped a sharp line drive to center field for a single, driving in Curtis Mead. Then Jacob Young followed with a blast to left field, his third home run of the season, which scored Abrams and made it 2-0 Nationals before the Marlins could even blink.

Young was the star of this show offensively. One hit in three at-bats, but what a hit it was. Two RBIs and the decisive blow in a game that stayed tight throughout. This is exactly what a ballclub needs when they’re trying to scratch out wins on the road.

Miami’s Spark Goes Out Too Quick

The Marlins answered back immediately in the bottom of the first when Xavier Edwards crushed one to left-center for his third homer of the season. It was a sign that this game was going to be competitive, at least from the early indicators. But Miami couldn’t sustain any momentum. Snelling lasted only five innings, walking four batters and striking out just two while giving up three earned runs. For a debut, it’s not a disaster, but it’s not the kind of performance that wins ballgames either.

Otto Lopez had himself a game at the plate, collecting three hits in four at-bats, but individual heroics don’t matter when the pitching staff can’t hold the line. The Marlins scored just one run on Friday, and that’s simply not going to cut it in a league where teams are competing for playoff spots.

Griffin’s Brilliance Carries Nationals Home

PJ Poulin came in to close out the final 0.1 innings, securing the save. It wasn’t exactly stress-free, as he walked one batter, but he got the job done when it mattered most. That’s what you need from your bullpen in tight games.

This was a Friday night victory that the Nationals will feel good about heading into the rest of this series. Foster Griffin proved he belongs in any conversation about competent starting pitching, and the offense did enough to win a game they could have easily dropped. That’s playoff baseball right there, folks. That’s how you steal games on the road.

The Marlins still have time to bounce back, but they need Snelling to learn fast and their veteran hitters to step up. This one got away from Miami, plain and simple.