Washington Nationals shut Miami Marlins out, 5-0: Erick Fedde tosses six scoreless vs Fish...

Washington’s Nationals connected on eight hits, took two walks, and scored five runs in just four innings against Miami Marlins’ rookie Sixto Sánchez, who was out after throwing a total of 68 pitches in the first game of today’s doubleheader in Marlins Park, which the defending World Series champions took, 5-0.

Erick Fedde tossed six scoreless innings in which he gave up just one hit and two walks to lead the Nationals to a win.

Fedde vs the Fish: Last time out on the mound, Erick Fedde faced the Braves at home in D.C. and held the current NL East division leaders to two runs on six hits in five innings.

Fedde walked four and struck out five, but threw 108 pitches in his five innings, so manager Davey Martinez went to the bullpen at that point, in what ended up an 8-7 win in which the starter received no decision, extending a winless streak to four outings, over which the 27-year-old, 2014 1st Round pick was (0-2) with a 7.32 ERA and a .288/.376/.575 line against in 19 ²⁄₃ IP.

Going up against the Marlins tonight for the first time this season, Fedde tossed three quick, scoreless innings on just 43 pitches, and came out for the bottom of the fourth with a 5-0 in Miami and worked around a one-out single for his fourth scoreless frame.

Fedde walked the first batter he faced in the fifth, Garrett Cooper, issuing his second free pass of the game, but he stranded the only runner to reach base in a 16-pitch frame after which he was up to 73 pitches in five scoreless.

He came back out for the sixth and worked around a hit batter for a sixth scoreless inning of work, after which he was up to 91 pitches and done for the night...

Erick Fedde’s Line: 6.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 6 Ks, 91 P, 53 S, 9/2 GO/FO.

Sánchez vs the Nats: Sixto Sánchez, 22, made his MLB debut against the Nationals back on August 22nd giving up six hits (two home runs) and three runs total in five innings of work.

“He’s got electric stuff,” Nats’ skipper Davey Martinez said after seeing Sánchez up close for the first time.

“His changeup was really good, very good. But you know, our guys, I thought we did well.”

“That kid has good stuff, he’s one of the top guys and I think he’s going to be in this league for a while.”

Going into tonight’s game, the right-hander had a 1.69 ERA, a 3.26 FIP, five walks, and 29 Ks in 32 IP in his rookie campaign.

The Nationals put runs up early, however, with Yan Gomes doubling and scoring on an RBI double to left-center by Luis García in the top of the second, 1-0.

Carter Kieboom went the other way with a 100 MPH 2-2 sinker in the next at bat, shooting an RBI single into right field to bring García in and make it 2-0.

Gomes and García were both 2 for 2 after back-to-back, one-out singles in the fourth, and a walk to Carter Kieboom loaded the bases for Andrew Stevenson, who hit a grounder out to right to drive in two more runs, 4-0, and 5-0 on an RBI liner to left by Victor Robles.

Sixto Sánchez’s Line: 4.0 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 2 Ks, 68 P, 49 S, 4/3 GO/FO.

SotOBP: Juan Soto started today’s doubleheader in Miami with a 19-game on-base streak going, over which the 21-year-old outfielder had a .477 OBP, seven doubles, four homers, and 20 walks.

The streak stretched back to August 22nd, and Soto, after grounding out to short in each of his first two at bats, extended the streak on an intentional walk in the top of the fourth, as a three-run rally put the club up 5-0.

BULLPEN ACTION: Right-hander Josh A. Smith retired the Nationals in order after taking over on the mound in the fifth. Smith needed 13 pitches in a quick, 1-2-3 sixth.

Ryne Stanek gave up an infield single by Juan Soto and a double by Asdrúbal Cabrera in back-to-back, one-out at bats, but after an intentional walk to Eric Thames loaded the bases, he got an inning-ending double play.

Will Harris came on in the bottom of the seventh to wrap things up, and worked around a one-out single to end it. Ballgame.

Final Score: 5-0 Nationals

Nationals now 19-29