1 of 5 | Washington Nationals Adam Lind is congratulated by Matt Wieters after hitting a two-run home run against the Miami Marlins, in the seventh inning of the Nationals home opener at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. on April 3, 2017. File photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI |
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WASHINGTON -- Adam Lind hit a pinch-hit, two-run homer with two outs in the bottom of the seventh as the Washington Nationals came back to beat the Miami Marlins 4-2 on Opening Day on Monday at Nationals Park before a sellout crowd of 42,744.
It was the sixth pinch-hit homer in the career of Lind, who made his Nationals debut after he played last season for the Seattle Mariners. His homer came off reliever David Phelps (0-1), who took over in the sixth after starter Edinson Volquez went five scoreless innings.
Daniel Murphy, who had two hits, added an insurance run in the eighth with an RBI single to right off reliever Junichi Tazawa.
The winning pitcher was Stephen Strasburg (1-0), who allowed two runs and six hits in seven innings before Lind pinch hit for him. Washington's Sammy Solis pitched the eighth and new closer Blake Treinen went the ninth for his second career save.
The Marlins grabbed a 2-0 lead in the fourth on an RBI double by Giancarlo Stanton and a two-out RBI single by Marcell Ozuna. The hit to right-center by Stanton scored J.T. Realmuto, who led off the frame with a double to center.
Bryce Harper cut the lead to 2-1 with a solo homer in the sixth off Phelps. It was the fifth Opening Day homer for Harper, who hit eight in spring training.
Strasburg made his fourth Opening Day start and first since 2014.
The Marlins were robbed of more runs in the fifth when right fielder Harper crashed into the wall to make a catch on a ball off the bat of Christian Yelich for the last out with two runners on base.
J.T. Realmuto of the Marlins also had two hits, as did Ryan Zimmerman of the Nationals.
NOTES: Washington 3B Anthony Rendon has been dealing with a sore calf and was held out of the starting lineup by manager Dusty Baker. "He is doing a lot better," Baker said. "He could have played. I thought it would be best if he didn?t." ... The Marlins are wearing a No. 16 patch on their uniforms to honor of RHP Jose Fernandez, who died in a boating accident last September. ... Members of the five branches of the military threw out the first pitch. President Donald Trump, who was invited to throw out the first pitch, declined the invitation to the White House. ... Marlins INF/OF Tyler Moore, who played for the Nationals from 2012-15, made the Opening Day roster of Miami after being injured most of last season while in the Atlanta Braves system. "It feels really good. I am very thankful to this organization for the opportunity," Moore said.
