Washington Nationals Win 16-8 vs. Miami Marlins: Brady House slugs two home runs to lead the Nats to a 3-0 record

Jupiter, Florida, February 22nd, 2026— The Washington Nationals scored 16 runs in an offensive-filled affair against the Miami Marlins.

After five innings, the Nats lead the Marlins, 9-1. The game was never within reach for the Marlins. Miami’s pitching staff struggled to find the strike zone, and the Nats capitalized on their mistakes. Washington collected six extra-base hits on their way to scoring 16 runs. The Marlins slugged three home runs in the bottom of the ninth to cut the score to 16-8.

Brady House kicked off the scoring in the top of the first inning with a home run to center field. The ball left his bat at 105.5mph and traveled 415ft. House’s blast scored Nasim Nunez and James Wood. In the top of the fifth inning, House slugged another home run to center field, this one hit 102.9mph and traveling 398ft. Keibert Ruiz continued the scoring in the fifth with a double to drive in Harry Ford. Robert Hassell III followed Ruiz with a double of his own, adding another run for the Nats. A few wild pitches by Miami’s pitcher Liomar Martinez allowed Hassell III to score. As the batting lineup continued to move in the fifth, Daylen Lile flew out to drive in Andres Chaparro. Another wild pitch by Martinez allowed Seaver King to score. At the end of the fifth inning, the Nats led the Marlins, 9-1.

Despite the number of players rotating into the lineup, the Nats didn’t stop scoring. In the top of the seventh inning, Jack Rogers drove in Randal Diaz on a single to left field. One batter later, Sam Brown drove in Kevin Made on an infield single to grow the Nats’ lead to 11-1. In the top of the eighth, Warming Bernabel tripled to left field to score Dashyll Tejeda, then Randal Diaz was out on a sacrifice fly to center field. The lead was 13-1 after eight innings. The Nats capitalized on a few mistakes by the Marlins in the ninth, scoring three runs by a walk and two hits by pitches to grow the lead to 16-1.

The fifth inning was the big one for the Nationals in today’s contest against the Marlins. Brady House led off the inning with a home run, followed by Keibert Ruiz and Robert Hassell III's doubles to drive in runs. A few wild pitches by the Marlins generated another run for the Nats, then Daylen Lile drove in another on a sacrifice fly. The Nats didn’t look back after the fifth en route to a 16-8 win.

Mitchell Parker started for the Nats and received the win for his efforts. Parker threw two scoreless innings while allowing one hit and striking out another. He threw 43 pitches compared to 25 strikes and walked a batter. Jackson Rutledge pitched a clean second inning with a strikeout. Gus Varland allowed a run on two hits and a walk in the third inning, then Bryce Montes de Oca and Zach Penrod combined for two scoreless innings and six strikeouts. Connor Van Scoyoc struggled in the eighth and ninth innings, surrendering four earned runs on two walks and a home run. Tucker Biven allowed two more home runs in the bottom of the ninth.

Washington did not commit an error in today’s 16-8 win over the Marlins. There were only two ground ball outs recorded by the Nats. The only defensive play of note was Dashyll Tejada’s outfield assist at second to cut down Bennett Hostetler, trying to take an extra base.

Guiding questions:

Brady House flipped the momentum in the first inning of the game for the Nats. His three-run homer off Marlins’ starter Sandy Alcantara set the tone for the afternoon. House followed up his first-inning swing with another homer in the fifth inning. The third baseman showcased his power for the Nats’ new coaching staff. The rest of the lineup followed in House’s footsteps, generating 16 runs in the game.

Player of the Game: Brady House(2-4, 2HR, 4RBI)

Brady House’s two home runs propelled the Nationals to their third win of the spring over the Marlins, 16-8.

Guiding questions:

The Washington Nationals host the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday at 6:05 p.m. EST at CACTI Ballpark of the Palm Beaches. Jake Irvin takes the mound for the Nats while Alan Rangel gets the ball for the Phillies. Washington looks to extend their winning streak to four games early this spring.