Miami, Florida – The Miami Marlins continued their playoff push, recording their ninth sweep of the season, beating the Nationals 6-2 on Tommy Hutton Day. Seven of those sweeps were at loanDepot. With the latest victory, this year’s Miami Marlins join the 1997 and 2003 clubs as the only teams in franchise history to clinch a winning home record with 41 wins within their first 66 home games. It comes on the heels of the Marlins honoring Tommy Hutton for his long career.
Tommy Hutton sits down to chat with @SStrom_ ahead of "Thank You Tommy Day." pic.twitter.com/940QtSgRxz
— Marlins Radio Network (@MarlinsRadio) August 23, 2026
Joining the Fish in 1997, this is his 28th season broadcasting Marlins games, including 23 years in the TV booth. The Emmy Award-winning broadcaster was let go in 2015 but returned in 2022. The voice of the Marlins announced his retirement earlier this year, taking effect after the 2026 season. Hutton witnessed different eras, several highs and lows, and both World Series championships. Several Marlins legends, including Rich Waltz, Kevin Millar, Josh Beckett, Dan Uggla, Jeff Conine, Ryan Dempster, Cody Ross, Josh Johnson, Gaby Sanchez, Steve Cishek, and AJ Ramos, thanked Mr. Hutton for his contributions to the team’s lore.
Keeping Pace
Janson Junk held Washington to two hits and a run through four and two-thirds innings. He benefited from some early run support. Heriberto Hernandez got the team on the board first with an RBI double in the opening frame, scoring Agustin Ramirez for the 1-0 lead. He nearly added more with a two-run blast in the third, coming up short at the wall. Center fielder Jacob Young made a terrific catch setting up the double play to end the inning. That became a momentum shifter as the Nationals tied it in the fourth. Dylan Crews lined his own RBI double, plating Daylen Lile, who scored from second.
Some early aggression at the plate. Love to see it, gotta keep pace for the postseason. #FightinFishpic.twitter.com/NsvdqVjuOP
— Gabriel Garcia (@Gabewritesports) August 23, 2026
Junk ran into trouble in the fifth, grazing two batters, prompting Michael Petersen to be called in. Petersen loaded the bases with two outs but worked his way out of a jam, striking out Abimelec Ortiz. The Fighting Fish then broke the deadlock. Hernandez drew a walk to load the bases, followed by Xavier Edwards, who came up with the clutch two-out, two-run single. Ahead 3-1 on the count, X produced a liner to left field off Trevor Williams’ four-seam fastball to retake the lead. Washington got one back in the sixth. Jorbit Vivas doubled to center, knocking in Keibert Ruiz. Up 3-2, Javier Sanoja also tried to go deep to left but was denied as Lile made the catch.
Great catch robbing the Marlins of runs. Remains 1-0 Miami. #FightinFishpic.twitter.com/xRoOW8MNde
— Gabriel Garcia (@Gabewritesports) August 23, 2026
Miami scored regardless. Pinch hitter Joe Mack hit a flare to left field that landed just inside, bringing in Jakob Marsee, who walked. After Mack doubled, Otto Lopez hit a sacrifice fly, scoring the fifth run. The Fish later added an insurance run as Marlins reliever Jack Ralston struck out Nasim Nunez to begin his MLB debut. Ralston pitched two scoreless innings en route to the win.
Excellent at bat, you love to see it!#FightinFishpic.twitter.com/9DycltrkvY
— Gabriel Garcia (@Gabewritesports) August 23, 2026
Impressions
The Marlins DFA’ed veteran lefty John King ahead of Sunday’s series finale. Ralston was then called up. Signing a $1.5 million contract, the ground ball specialist got off to a strong start with his new team, compiling a 1.95 ERA in his first 38 games. However, his next 12 appearances saw his ERA grow to over nine. Cade Gibson is now the lone southpaw remaining.
Little flare lands just inside https://t.co/mJ1G5tP6jN
— Gabriel Garcia (@Gabewritesports) August 23, 2026
Speaking of which, when it comes to the offseason free agent signings, Pete Fairbanks is the last guy standing. Pretty telling, considering the current state of the team. Miami is still in the playoff race, but with the way teams like the Phillies and Padres are playing, they’ll have to win most of their remaining games. The schedule does not get easier heading into September. All that aside, I must give my thanks to Tommy Hutton, too. He picked a heck of a year to join the Marlins, and he is nothing short of a generational talent. I am blessed to have grown up watching and listening to him narrate all those seasons. Aspiring broadcasters in the business should look to him, since Mr. Hutton was, is, and always will be the gold standard in my view. Thank you, sir, for everything you have given to this franchise. The fans appreciate it immensely.
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