Robby Snelling Gets Loss Against Nationals in MLB Debut

MIAMI, FL – Robby Snelling made his first MLB start today, and it began on a rough patch, but he was able to bounce back over the next few innings. The Marlins scored two runs in the first, but that was all they would get in the game. Snelling would end up getting the loss, in a 3-2 game against the Nationals in his major league debut.

Nationals Capitalize Early 3-0 Lead

The Nationals took advantage of Snelling’s debut by scoring three runs in the first. After striking out the first batter he faced, James Wood, reality kicked in a hurry.

Robby Snelling strikes out the first batter he faces #Marlins #FightinFish pic.twitter.com/5L1eOGJLaS

— Ricardo Urrusuno (@RickScores) May 8, 2026

Curtis Mead hit his seventh double of the season. After punching out Brady House, CJ Abrams drove in Mead with an RBI single. Jacob Young came up to the plate and went yard for a two-run shot.

Marlins Respond in the First

Xavier Edwards got things started with his third career leadoff home run. The 400-foot homer was his first leadoff homer since August 13 last year in Cleveland. His swing had an exit velocity of 103.9 MPH.

Bot 1st
Nationals 3 | Marlins 1

Xavier Edwards hits his third home run of the season and his third career leadoff home run

His last leadoff home run came on August 13 last year against the Guardians#Marlins #FightinFish pic.twitter.com/oOhVYsDUru

— Ricardo Urrusuno (@RickScores) May 8, 2026

Bot 1st
Nationals 3 | Marlins 2

Kyle Stowers reaches base on a throwing error by Curtis Mead at first. Otto Lopez scores. #Marlins #FightinFish pic.twitter.com/og8FVfP9P6

— Ricardo Urrusuno (@RickScores) May 8, 2026

Robby Snelling Settles Down

Robby Snelling is out of the game. After a rough first inning, he was able to bounce back. His ERA is 5.40.

5.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 2 K, 1 HR

Anthony Bender takes over on the hill for the #Marlins #FightinFish

— Ricardo Urrusuno (@RickScores) May 9, 2026

Snelling had 12 swing and misses, with his highest top pitch velocity reaching 97.2 miles per hour. He did excel at first pitch strikes with a 73% rate, but the Nationals did take their time with some of his pitches as well.

Bullpen and Hitting Thoughts

The bullpen had another great game. Anthony Bender came in the sixth, getting a strikeout and retiring all hitters he faced. John King tossed two-thirds of an inning in the seventh with a strikeout. Tyler Phillips tossed 2.1 innings of shutout ball with two strikeouts.

The Marlins finished the game with five hits, stranding six runners and going 0/6 with runners in scoring position. They failed to follow up on their first inning successes and weren’t able to deliver a clutch hit in the game.

Final
Nationals 3 | Marlins 2

After scoring two runs in the first, the #Marlins fell flat. They came up with just five hits.

Both teams scored their runs in the first.
They went 0-6 with RISP and left six on base.

Robby Snelling gets tagged with the loss.#FightinFish

— Ricardo Urrusuno (@RickScores) May 9, 2026

In the ninth, they quickly got down to their last out but then made seem as if they would come back. Javier Sanoja reached base via error for the second straight game. Heriberto Hernandez then walked. Leo Jimenez fought through a seven-pitch at-bat but grounded into a forceout, ending what could’ve been a potential walk-off.

About Post Author

Ricardo Urrusuno

He’s a diehard 305 native who roots for his hometown teams in the good, the bad, and the ugly. Recently, he graduated from FIU with an MBA, but now he’s a Lemonhead covering UM basketball. Known to be anywhere and everywhere, you may catch him at a Miami sporting event.

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