Miami Marlins vs Washington Nationals

Xavier Edwards' two-out, two-run single in the fifth inning. Washington starter Jackson Kent (0–2) had worked around traffic until that point, but with the bases loaded and two down, Edwards punched a single through the left side that turned a 1–1 deadlock into a 3–1 Marlins lead. The Nationals never mustered more than a single run in any inning thereafter.

• Xavier Edwards (MIA): 1-for-4, 2 RBI. The go-ahead single in the fifth was the game's most impactful hit. Edwards is now hitting .285/.364/.382 on the season.
• Joe Mack (MIA): 1-for-2, 2B, 2 RBI. The backup catcher drove in runs in consecutive at-bats — a pinch-hit RBI double in the sixth and an RBI fielder's choice in the eighth.
• Heriberto Hernández (MIA): 1-for-3, 2B, RBI, BB. His first-inning double opened the scoring and set the tone.
• Jack Ralston (MIA): 2.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K (H, 1). The rookie reliever bridged the gap from the sixth to the eighth with clean innings.
• Dylan Crews (WSH): 2-for-4, 2B, RBI. The Nationals' rookie outfielder accounted for half his team's hits and drove in their first run.

Player of the Match: Xavier Edwards — his two-run single decided the game.

The Marlins out-hit the Nationals 8–5 but left eight runners on base to Washington's 11. Miami's bullpen covered 4.1 innings, allowing one earned run on three hits while striking out five. Washington's three-man relief corps (Trevor Williams, Max Kranick) surrendered three runs over 3.1 innings. The Nationals went 2-for-10 with runners in scoring position and stranded seven in scoring position. No home runs were hit in the game — all eight runs were driven in via doubles, singles, or a sacrifice fly.

The Marlins (67–64) climbed to three games above .500 for the first time since July and sit third in the NL East, seven games back of the division-leading Braves (75–54) but within 3.5 of the second Wild Card spot pending other results. The Nationals (61–71) dropped their fourth consecutive game and remain fourth in the division, 13.5 games out of a playoff spot. Miami heads on the road to face the Colorado Rockies starting 25 August; Washington returns home to host the New York Yankees beginning 25 August.

A clinical, drama-free win for Miami. The Marlins got exactly what they needed — a short-but-effective opener, timely two-out hitting and a bullpen that held the line. Washington, missing its best starter and running an injury-depleted lineup, simply didn't have the firepower to keep pace over nine innings.