Marlins can't solve Stephen Strasburg, lose Marcell Ozuna in falling to Nationals
MIAMI (AP) -- The Miami Marlins might have to finish the season without another starting outfielder.
Marcell Ozuna sprained his right ankle going into second base during the Marlins' 2-1 loss to the NL-leading Washington Nationals on Sunday.
Slugger Giancarlo Stanton is already sidelined as he recovers from getting hit in the face with a pitch.
Ozuna was hurt in the seventh inning. He attempted to reach second after his hit was bobbled by left fielder Kevin Frandsen. Ozuna went into the base without sliding and hit the bag awkwardly before tumbling. He was tagged out, and then he was helped off the field without putting any pressure on his ankle. X-rays were negative.
"That's another tough blow for us," Marlins manager Mike Redmond said. "We really don't have a timetable for him. We'll see how it progresses over the next couple of days. We definitely can't lose anybody else out of that lineup.
"We're piecing it together and grinding it out as it is," he said.
The 23-year old center fielder is hitting .269 with 23 home runs and 85 RBIs.
Stephen Strasburg pitched seven strong innings to help the Nationals complete a four-game sweep.
"Just have to keep the train rolling," Strasburg said.
Nate Schierholtz and Anthony Rendon drove in runs for the Nationals (91-64), who completed an 11-game road trip 9-2 and lead the Los Angeles Dodgers (89-67) for the best record in the National League.
"A good road trip for us against some teams that has been playing well especially here in a place where they play very good at home," Nationals manager Matt Williams said. "We won some close ones and pitching was good, that certainly will keep you in any ball game. You have those guys toe the rubber every day, you've got a chance. We did enough to win, which is good."
Strasburg (13-11) allowed three hits and two walks. He struck out five while throwing 55 of his 84 pitches for strikes. He is 3-1 with a 1.34 ERA over his last five starts.
"The way he is throwing right now, that's the way that everybody wants to see him," said Nationals catcher Jose Lobaton.
Rafael Soriano got through the ninth for his 32nd save in 39 chances.
Marlins' pinch-hitter Reed Johnson led off the ninth with a double and scored on a sacrifice fly by Donovan Solano to cut the deficit to 2-1. Casey McGehee lined out to a sliding Bryce Harper in left field to end the game.
"You look at that pitching staff over there and it's the best pitching staff in the National League," Marlins manager Mike Redmond said. "Those guys keep coming and it probably doesn't matter what lineup they throw out there, with that pitching they have the ability to shut you down."
The Nationals scored in the fifth off Nathan Eovaldi (6-13). Lobaton led off the inning with a double and scored on Schierholtz's triple to center field. Rendon followed with an RBI single.
Eovaldi allowed two runs and seven hits in six innings.
"I just wanted to eliminate those big innings today and not make those big mistakes," Eovaldi said.
The Marlins had four hits and have lost five of six.
UP NEXT
Both teams are off on Monday before their final seven games of the regular season.
Washington: Hosts the New York Mets for a three-game series beginning on Tuesday with RHP Tanner Roark (14-10, 2.85) on the mound against Mets RHP Bartolo Colon (14-12, 4.02).
Miami: At Philadelphia. RHP Henderson Alvarez (11-6, 2.82) faces Phillies LHP Cole Hamels (9-7, 2.47).
HEANEY EFFECT
Marlins' top pitching prospect LHP Andrew Heaney retired nine of the 10 batters he faced to end the game. It was Heaney's second appearance out of the bullpen after making four starts earlier in the season.
TRIPLES IN BUNCHES
Schierholtz's triple was the Nationals' fifth in the last three games. They recorded five in their previous 56 games.
