MIAMI, FL – The Miami Marlins started the game in a 4-0 deficit. Down but not out, the hitting started to come through during the game. Struggling hitters such as Kyle Stowers and Jakob Marsee both made their marks with home runs. After gaining steam, the Marlins would record a total of 12 hits in their 8-7 win over the Washington Nationals.
Junk Goes Through Six Innings
Junk had one of his more contested starts of the season. For the second consecutive game in the series, Miami gave up three runs to Washington in the first. James Wood got it started with a long leadoff 442-foot home run.
Then, CJ Abrams extended his damage from yesterday’s contest with a two-run single to extend their lead to three. The Nationals started the game strong with four consecutive hits.
After throwing 24 pitches in the first, he did throw 23 in the second but finished the inning unscathed. Following a triple from Abrams in the third, Daylen Lile hit a sac fly, making it 4-0.
Janson Junk threw 94 pitches in six innings, allowing seven hits, four runs, and two walks while matching his season-high of six strikeouts.
That's a wrap for Janson Junk's start today. It got off to a tough start, allowing three runs and four straight hits in the first but he bounced back and matched his season-high in strikeouts.
6.0 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, 1 HR, 94 TP#Marlins #FightinFish pic.twitter.com/JLhPUtjtrW
— Ricardo Urrusuno (@RickScores) May 9, 2026
Is Kyle Stowers Back?
In the first, Stowers hit his fourth double of the season, despite Liam Hicks getting the green light to go for the extra base at the plate and was tagged out.
Then in the fourth, he hit his first home run of the season, hitting a two-run shot. The 380-footer was his first long ball since he hit one out on August 3, 2025, against the Yankees last year.
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Nationals 4 | Marlins 2It took a while but the home run drought is over. For the first time since August 3rd of last year, Kyle Stowers goes yard.
He hits a two-run blast, going 380 feet with an exit velocity of 103.1 MPH. #Marlins #FightinFish pic.twitter.com/6CBtITjZg9
— Ricardo Urrusuno (@RickScores) May 9, 2026
It’s no secret that he had been struggling throughout the season. He had a line of .229/.341/.314 in April and was slashing .179/.233/.179 in May, coming into this game. He had eight strikeouts in eight games in April and already had 11 strikeouts in the same number of games in May.
Stowers went 3/4 at the plate today with two runs scored and two RBI. His batting average went from .206 to .239.
X Gon’ Give It to Ya
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Nationals 4 | Marlins 4Xavier Edwards ties this game up with a solo home run. Not only does he homer in consecutive games for the first time in his career, but he has also set his career-high with four in a season. #Marlins #FightinFish pic.twitter.com/nyq6M0lGjX
— Ricardo Urrusuno (@RickScores) May 9, 2026
It was the first time in his career that he homered in consecutive games, and it also surpassed his previous season high of three. His batting average dropped five points after going 1/5, but that homer truly set the tone for what was to come for Miami.
Jakob Marsee Redeems Himself
Entering the game, Marsee had just one home run this season and desperately needed to show a glimpse of his 2025 form. Late in the game, he was able to offer some hope moving forward with a three-run blast, which put the Marlins ahead for the first time all game.
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Nationals 4 | Marlins 7This is exactly what Jakob Marsee needed. He connects on a three-run bomb for his second homer of the season.
Exit Velocity: 100.3 MPH
Launch Angle: 23 Degrees
Distance: 376 Feet#Marlins #FightinFish pic.twitter.com/Hq4kLlhNPW— Ricardo Urrusuno (@RickScores) May 9, 2026
Having hovered around the Mendoza Line all season with a .182 in April and a .160 in May, his 3 RBI on that home run were his most in a game all season long.
Bullpen Secures the Win
Leo Jimenez hit a sacrifice fly to cap off the scoring for the Marlins in the eighth. By then, Lake Bachar had a solid seventh with two strikeouts, and Andrew Nardi threw a flawless eighth.
Michael Petersen entered in the ninth, hoping to get through with ease. However, the opposite happened. He allowed four hits and three runs in 0.2 innings. Drew Millas had an RBI single, and Luis Garcia Jr. had a two-run single, making it a close 8-7 game.
John King entered in relief to record the final out and he did so, getting Abrams to fly out. Nardi earned the win, going to 3-2 on the season while King earned his first career save.


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