Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Shutting down DC
Urena throws a dazzling two-hit, complete game
Marlins’ Urena goes the distance vs. Nationals.
WASHINGTON — Jose Urena’s previous start ended after one very heated pitch. On Sunday, he went the distance. Urena made the most of his borrowed time, pitching a two-hitter for his first complete game in the majors and leading the Miami Marlins over the Washington Nationals, 12-1, on Sunday.
Urena (4-12) was suspended for six games by Major League Baseball after hitting Atlanta rookie Ronald Acuna Jr. on Wednesday. Urena was ejected from that start after throwing one fastball and appealed the penalty, keeping him eligible to play.
“I know what I did, and I know what kind of person I am and what kind of teammate,” Urena said. “Just tried to execute my plan and go out there and have fun and show what I can do.”
Urena, tied for the NL lead in hit batters, didn’t plunk anyone on the Nationals, nor did he alter his approach. He struck out four, walked two and retired the last 16 batters. It was his first complete game in 74 big league starts.
“If you make a mistake you’ve got to pay,” Urena said of Washington’s lineup. “We tried to move their feet, make them uncomfortable at the plate. Try to attack the inside.”
Right-hander Pablo Lopez was originally slated to start Sunday’s game, but manager Don Mattingly opted to push him back to Tuesday and insert Urena.
The 26-year-old right-hander’s next start would normally be scheduled for next weekend at home against the Braves. Urena
“Just tried to execute my plan and go out there and have fun and show what I can do.” Jose Urena
could decide to drop the appeal, serve the suspension and miss that series — after the game, he said he’ll maintain the appeal.
Starlin Castro got a career-high five hits and scored three times. JT Riddle and J.T. Realmuto each homered and drove in three runs for Miami, with Riddle connecting for the second straight game. Isaac Galloway had three hits, including his first career homer.
It was the Marlins’ first series win in Washington since 2014.
Trying to keep pace with the Braves and Phillies in the NL East, the third-place Nationals have now lost four of their last five against the last-place Marlins. The Nationals host the Phillies for three games beginning Tuesday night.
Gio Gonzalez (7-10) allowed eight runs on 10 hits in 4 2⁄3 innings. Over his last 13 starts, Gonzalez is 1-8 with 7.07 ERA.
“I think it was in all honesty an ugly game. And everybody saw it,” manager Dave Martinez said. “Gio couldn’t keep us in the game and it got ugly.”
Leading 3-1, the Marlins broke it open with a five-run fifth. After Riddle’s sacrifice fly, the Marlins loaded the bases and Rafael Ortega hit a bases-loaded, two-run double off the glove of a diving first baseman Matt Adams to end Gonzalez’s afternoon.
Realmuto greeted reliever Greg Holland with a two-run single, making it 8-1.