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

By: The Associated Press Posted: 3:52 PM CDT Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026

MIAMI (AP) — Xavier Edwards hit a go-ahead two-run single in the fifth inning and the Miami Marlins beat the Washington Nationals 6-2 on Sunday to complete a three-game series sweep.

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MIAMI (AP) — Xavier Edwards hit a go-ahead two-run single in the fifth inning and the Miami Marlins beat the Washington Nationals 6-2 on Sunday to complete a three-game series sweep.

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MIAMI (AP) — Xavier Edwards hit a go-ahead two-run single in the fifth inning and the Miami Marlins beat the Washington Nationals 6-2 on Sunday to complete a three-game series sweep.

Otto López had two walks and hit a sacrifice fly, while Joe Mack doubled and had two RBI for the Marlins, who are 41-25 at home.

Edwards snapped a 1-all tie when his line drive with the bases loaded scored López and Agustin Ramirez. López drew a two-out walk and Ramirez singled against Washington starter Jackson Kent (0-2). Trevor Williams relieved Kent and walked Heriberto Hernández before Edwards’ single.

Miami Marlins relief pitcher Jack Ralston (79) throws during the seventh inning of a baseball game, making his MLB debut, against the Washington Nationals, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

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

Michael Petersen (3-3) got the last out in the fifth for the win. Marlins reliever Jack Ralston pitched two scoreless innings in his major league debut.

Jorbit Vivas’s RBI double in the sixth got Washington within 3-2 but Miami responded with Mack’s run-scoring double and López’s sacrifice fly.

Mack made it 6-2 with an RBI fielder’s choice in the eighth.

Heriberto Hernández’s RBI double in the first put Miami ahead 1-0 before Washington tied it on Dylan Crews’ run-scoring double in the fourth.

Nationals center fielder Jacob Young robbed Hernández of another extra base hit in the third, when he scaled the wall and caught his drive.

Making his third career start, Kent gave up three runs and four hits. Marlins starter Janson Junk allowed one run and two hits over 4 2/3 innings.

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

Up next

Nationals: RHP Cade Cavalli (11-5, 3.22) will start the opener of a four-game home series against Colorado on Monday. RHP Ryan Feltner (5-7, 5.97) will start for the Rockies.

Marlins: begin a three-game home series against Boston on Monday with RHP Sandy Alcantara (13-8, 3.46) scheduled to start the opener. The Red Sox will go with LHP Ranger Suarez (5-3, 3.41).

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