The Miami Marlins erased a one-run deficit and walked off the Washington Nationals 3-2 in nine innings at loanDepot park on Friday, August 21, 2026. Javier Sanoja was the offensive engine, going 2-for-3 with two RBI to power the comeback. Pete Fairbanks earned the win out of the bullpen, and Clayton Beeter took the loss for Washington after surrendering three hits and three walks in two-thirds of an inning. It was a division win the Marlins had to scratch and claw for — and they got it done.

Sanoja Delivers When Miami Needed It Most

Sanoja's two-RBI performance was the difference in this one. Working against a Washington bullpen that had been stingy through much of the night, Sanoja came through in the moments that mattered. He finished 2-for-3, providing the production that allowed Miami to overcome its deficit and set up the walk-off moment that sent loanDepot park into a frenzy.

The Nationals had their own bright spots offensively. Daylen Lile went 3-for-5 with an RBI and was a consistent thorn in Miami's side all night. Keibert Ruiz added a home run — his lone hit of the game came with some real damage attached to it — finishing 2-for-4 with one RBI. Those two kept Washington dangerous deep into the game.

Pitching Staff Works Through a Grind

This was not a clean night for either pitching staff, but Miami's bullpen ultimately found a way. Ryan Gusto started and gave the Marlins four innings of scoreless baseball, allowing five hits and a walk while striking out two. That was a quality turn through the order when Miami needed length.

The middle relief got bumpy. Tyler Zuber allowed two hits, a walk, and an earned run in two-thirds of an inning, which is when Washington grabbed the lead. Cade Gibson was a steadying presence, throwing 1.2 innings of hitless relief with two strikeouts and no walks to keep Miami within striking distance. Calvin Faucher then added two-thirds of a scoreless inning before Fairbanks closed it out — or rather, kept it alive long enough for the walk-off to happen.

Fairbanks worked a full inning, striking out two, but did allow a hit, a walk, and an earned run. He still gets the win, credited as Miami completed the comeback in the bottom of the ninth.

On the Washington side, Will Dion was the standout arm, going three innings with four strikeouts and only one hit allowed. Orlando Ribalta added 1.1 scoreless frames with two strikeouts. But Beeter's implosion in the final inning — three hits, three walks, and a run surrendered in just two-thirds of an inning — handed Miami the opening it needed.

Turning Point: The Ninth Inning

Washington sent Beeter to the mound in the ninth, and he simply could not find the zone or the barrel. Three hits and three walks in a two-thirds inning stint unraveled what had been a tight, well-pitched game for most of the night. Miami capitalized, and when the dust settled, the Marlins had a walk-off win against a division opponent.

By the Numbers

  • Javier Sanoja: 2-for-3, 2 RBI
  • Ryan Gusto: 4.0 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
  • Cade Gibson: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
  • Pete Fairbanks (W): 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
  • Daylen Lile (WSH): 3-for-5, 1 RBI
  • Keibert Ruiz (WSH): 2-for-4, 1 HR, 1 RBI
  • Clayton Beeter (L): 0.2 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 3 BB

What's Next

Miami stays home at loanDepot park as the series with Washington continues. The Marlins will look to carry the momentum from Friday's walk-off win into the next game and extend their edge in this division matchup.