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Nationals seek series-clinching win over Marlins after walk-off rally
Washington has taken the first two games of a four-game set and can secure its first series victory since early August on Sunday.
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BY SPILL NEWSROOM · PUBLISHED Aug 30, 2026 · 12:20 PM
Washington has taken the first two games of a four-game set and can secure its first series victory since early August on Sunday.
The Washington Nationals will try to finish off a series win against the Miami Marlins on Sunday afternoon after opening their four-game home set with consecutive victories.
Washington beat Miami 9-2 on Friday, then took a 5-4, 10-inning win Saturday when Dylan Crews delivered a two-out, bases-loaded single that brought home automatic runner Nasim Nuñez. The result also marked the Nationals’ first walk-off win of the season, according to Reuters reporting.
A third straight victory over the Marlins would give Washington its first series win since it swept Cincinnati from Aug. 7 through Aug. 9. It would also provide a measure of payback after Miami swept a three-game series between the clubs in Miami last weekend.
Left-hander Andrew Alvarez is scheduled to start for Washington. He enters with a 2-6 record and a 3.72 ERA and is seeking to end a personal three-start losing streak. Miami is set to counter with right-hander Janson Junk, who is 6-8 with a 4.21 ERA.
The Marlins entered Sunday at 68-68, third in the National League East, while the Nationals were 65-73 and fourth. First pitch in Washington is scheduled for 12:15 p.m. EDT.
SPILL INTELLIGENCE
THE WHOLE STORY
01WHAT HAPPENED
The Nationals won the first two games of a four-game home series against the Marlins, including a 10-inning walk-off on Saturday. Washington can clinch the series with another win Sunday.
02HOW COVERAGE DIFFERS
The coverage differs mainly in emphasis, not on the core facts. The Associated Press preview centers on the scheduled matchup, records, probable starters and season statistics. Reuters focuses on Washington's two recent wins, Crews' walk-off hit and the opportunity to answer Miami's sweep of the Nationals one weekend earlier.
03COMMON GROUND
Both reports identify Sunday's Nationals-Marlins game in Washington, list Andrew Alvarez and Janson Junk as the probable starters, and frame the matchup as an important chance for Washington to continue its home success.
04THE DIVIDE
There is no meaningful factual or political divide in the coverage. The distinction is a routine one of game-preview framing: statistical context in the AP report and recent-series narrative in the Reuters report.
