DJ Herz Strikes Out 13 Marlins as Nats Blank Fish 4-0

Washington D.C. – The Miami Marlins are taking on their NL East foe, the Washington Nationals, for a three-game set on the road. Miami dropped the opener 8-1 and looked to Trevor Rogers on the mound to get back in the win column and tie the series up. It was a battle of lefties on the bump as the Nationals had rookie DJ Herz starting.

Beautiful day for some baseball! @LemonCityLive is on the road in our nation’s Capitol covering today’s game between the #Marlins and #Nationals
Washington took game 1 of this 3 game series 8-1 and Miami has Trevor Rogers on the mound looking to tie it up. First pitch is at 4:05 pic.twitter.com/E3JDMo491P

— Alex “Milo” Aguirre (@aguirrethecap33) June 15, 2024

Herz’s Career Game

Herz did not waste time setting the tone for today’s contest. He struck out Tim Anderson and Bryan De La Cruz in the opening frame. Anderson would come up later in a crucial spot for Miami, but today wasn’t his day.

Tim Anderson was hitting in the leadoff spot for the first time as a member of the Marlins after stringing together a few solid games offensively. Anderson was riding a four-game hit streak and has a history of hitting first during his days with the Chicago Whitesox. For his career in the leadoff spot, Anderson’s slash line is .289/.320/.424/.744 with 52 home runs and 171 RBIs in over 2000 at-bats.

Tim Anderson is 5-for-9 since returning from the bereavement list. 103 mph exit velo here. pic.twitter.com/081aiJaFy8

— Fish On First (@FishOnFirst) June 13, 2024

After the first inning, Herz continued his dominance. He was perfect the first time through Miami’s lineup, recording seven strikeouts. The Marlins finally recorded their first hit of the game in the fifth inning on Jake Burger‘s single to left field.

First time in Herz’s career he records 10 strikeouts and looks to add on only through five innings. @LemonCityLive
pic.twitter.com/47hv0PuqqP

— Alex “Milo” Aguirre (@aguirrethecap33) June 15, 2024

That was Herz’s lone blemish of the afternoon as he racked up 13 strikeouts in his six innings of work with no walks. The 13 punchouts are the second most for a Nationals rookie in an outing. The record is 14 by Stephen Strasburg in 2010 against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Herz left the game with a 2-0 lead, and the Nationals’ bullpen kept Miami’s offense in check to help the rookie earn his first win in his big league career.

DJ Herz, 11th, 12th & 13th Ks. 😳

Thru 6. pic.twitter.com/iisAoc1iQJ

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) June 15, 2024

Rogers’ Best this Season Not Enough Against Herz

Trevor Rogers pitched seven innings for the first time this season. This marked the first time he reached this milestone since his rookie year in 2021. Unfortunately, the two runs Rogers surrendered were enough to beat him as Miami’s offense went silent, recording only four hits.

The Nationals tacked on their first run of the ballgame off of Rogers in the first inning on Joey Meneses’ sac fly. After a 1-2-3 second inning, Rogers surrendered a solo home run to Lane Thomas in the third. That marked a turning point in Rogers’ outing, and he responded.

lane thomas is 3-for-something with 2 HR since the introduction of the uncle slam hat (via elias sports probably if we had asked them) pic.twitter.com/WvfhimP0Yr

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) June 15, 2024

After Thomas’ home run in the third inning, Rogers buckled down. He did not allow another run for the remainder of his outing and pitched four straight shutout innings. Rogers only gave up two hits from the fourth inning to the final out in the seventh and walked zero batters.

Asked Trevor Rogers about what changed in his game plan against the #Nationals after he gave up the Lane Thomas home run and then followed up with four straight shutout innings. @LemonCityLive @Marlins pic.twitter.com/NPfmCa96e4

— Alex “Milo” Aguirre (@aguirrethecap33) June 15, 2024

Marlins Lone Opportunity

In the top of the eighth inning, the Marlins had multiple opportunities to get on the scoreboard. Miami had runners on first and second with one out, second and third with two outs, and the bases loaded with two outs off Nationals reliever Hunter Harvey.

Jesus Sanchez singled, and Jazz Chisholm Jr. reached base on a bunt single while pinch-hitting for Emmanuel Rivera. Otto Lopez came up to bat instead of Christian Bethancourt and drew a walk to load the bases.

I asked Skip about Jazz’s at-bat in the 8th inning pinch hitting and reaching base on a bunt single. Skip talks about Jazz bunting on his own and the potential rally for the @Marlins @LemonCityLive pic.twitter.com/c0sxi10TLA

— Alex “Milo” Aguirre (@aguirrethecap33) June 15, 2024

After going 0-3 with three strikeouts up to that point, Anderson had the chance to erase all that and become the hero. Instead, Miami’s shortstop earned his first Golden Sombrero (0-4 with 4 K’s) by striking out.

In the bottom half of the eighth inning, Meneses sealed the win for the Nationals. He belted a two-run homer off Andrew Nardi to lead 4-0. Meneses drove in three of Washington’s four runs.

Joey Meneses – Washington Nationals (3)
pic.twitter.com/YkGeq99Hhc

— MLB HR Videos (@MLBHRVideos) June 15, 2024

Miami’s offense has gone cold in the nation’s capital, scoring only one run in the first two games of this series combined. They look to salvage the series finale and support Jesus Luzardo on the mound tomorrow. It will be another lefty vs. lefty battle as the Nationals look to Mitchell Parker for a series sweep. The first pitch is set for 1:35 p.m.