Nationals trio of blunders on routine grounder leads to three Marlins runs

With bases loaded, Miami Marlins left fielder Jorge Soler ripped a two-run single past the glove of Nats shortstop Dee Strange-Gordon into left field. Lance Thomas rifled a throw to home that got past catcher Keibert Ruiz. 

Nationals reliever Victor Arano picked up the ball. Instead of holding the ball to keep the play at ease, Arano inexplicably threw the ball to second as Soler ran for second base. The ball got past Cesar Hernandez and rolled into center field. 

Arano’s throwing error allowed Jesus Aguilar to score. Soler then moved to third base. The Marlins extended their lead to 7-1 with three runs off one blooper-filled play. 

The Marlins won the game 8-2. Washington now has a 12-25 record following the loss. 

There were low expectations for the Nationals entering the season. The club is in a rebuild. But no one expected the play on the field to be this hard to watch.

After the game, the media waited for more than 20 minutes as the team had an informal team meeting. Martinez downplayed the notion, but did explain he just needed to talk to his team. 

No one forecast a World Series run. But a team that features Juan Soto, Josh Bell and Nelson Cruz shouldn’t be this bad and making constant lowlights on the way.