(Washington, D.C.) - The Washington Nationals bullpen surrendered a two-run lead in the ninth inning Sunday as the Miami Marlins rallied for a 6–2 victory. Washington received six scoreless innings from left-hander Andrew Alvarez and two scoreless frames from Clayton Beeter, but could not record the final three outs before relinquishing the lead

Currently the Nationals are on a stretch of 16 games in 16 days and 39 games in the span of 41 days with today is game 13 of the 16 with their next off day coming on Sept. 3.

The loss marked the Nationals’ 35th blown save of the season.

Washington managed six hits against Miami pitching and scored both of its runs late in the game.

Nasim Nuñez opened the scoring in the bottom of the fifth inning, driving in Jacob Young with an RBI double to give Washington a 1–0 lead. The hit was Nuñez’s 35th RBI of the season.

The Nationals extended their lead in the eighth inning. Daylen Lile sent a sacrifice fly to left field that brought home Brady House and made it 2–0. The RBI was Lile’s 76th of the season and continued an exceptional August for the outfielder.

Entering Sunday’s game, Lile was 14-for-34 (.412) over nine games since Aug. 21, with three doubles, one triple, three home runs, 10 RBI, six walks, five strikeouts, one stolen base, and nine runs scored. He carried a .500 on-base percentage and .824 slugging percentage during that stretch while reaching base safely in seven of those nine contests.

Lile’s recent surge follows an equally impressive late-August run last season, when he led Major League Baseball after Aug. 21 in extra-base hits (tied for first with 16), batting average (.372), on-base percentage (.423), and slugging percentage (.681).

Washington’s 2–0 lead held until the ninth inning, when Miami erupted for six runs to erase a strong combined pitching performance from Alvarez and Beeter.

Jorbit Vivas reached base in all four of his plate appearances, finishing 2-for-2 with a double, two walks, and a stolen base.

The Nationals went 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position and left six runners on base in Sunday’s loss.

CJ Abrams made his debut at second base in Sunday’s game and appeared comfortable in his new position. He was tested early and often on balls hit to the right side of the infield, handling the chances cleanly and successfully turning several double plays.

In the top of the second inning, Javier Sanoja grounded into a double play from shortstop Nasim Nuñez to second baseman CJ Abrams to first baseman Andrés Chaparro. Xavier Edwards was forced out at second base, providing an early test for Abrams in his debut at the position.

The Nationals carried a 2–0 lead into the top of the ninth inning, but the combination of Max Kranick and Tom Cosgrove was unable to close out the Marlins.

Miami scored six runs in the ninth to turn a late deficit into a 6–2 win. The Nationals had received strong pitching for the first eight innings, making the ninth-inning collapse especially costly.

Left handed pitcher Andrew Alvarez continued his success against Miami with another effective outing. The left-hander pitched 6.0 shutout innings, allowing two hits and striking out six batters.

He threw 97 pitches, including 58 strikes, and faced 23 Marlins hitters.

The performance followed Alvarez’s Aug. 25 start against the Colorado Rockies at Nationals Park, when he allowed three runs on five hits over 4.2 innings with six strikeouts. Washington lost that game, 3–1, and Alvarez was charged with the loss.

Since July 27, Alvarez has posted a 2.87 ERA over 31.1 innings. During that stretch, he has allowed 10 earned runs while holding opposing hitters to a .189 batting average (21-for-111). Entering Sunday, he ranked tied for ninth among National League pitchers in opponents’ batting average and ninth in opponents’ slugging percentage at .306.

Alvarez has also been effective in his career against the Marlins. Entering Sunday, he owned a 1–0 record with a 0.93 ERA in two career starts against Miami, allowing one earned run in 9.2 innings with nine strikeouts.

After Alvarez exited, Clayton Beeter delivered two scoreless innings out of the bullpen. Beeter did not allow a hit and struck out three Marlins hitters, helping Washington preserve its lead through eight innings.

The outing extended an impressive stretch for the Nationals’ starting rotation. Including Alvarez’s six shutout innings Sunday, Washington’s rotation has posted a Major League Baseball-best 2.31 ERA and a .178 opponents’ batting average over 12 games since Aug. 19.

The Washington Nationals will wrap up their four-game series against the Miami Marlins tomorrow evening, with first pitch at 6:45 p.m. EDT.

The Nationals have yet to name their starter for tomorrow’s game, however, right handed pitcher Ryan Gusto who has a 1-3 record and an 3.98 ERA is scheduled to start for the Miami Marlins.