The Miami Marlins edged the Washington Nationals 4-3 on June 15, 2025, as Janson Junk's career-long outing and a Jesús Sánchez HR sealed the series win.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Exhale, Marlins fans. In a game that was equal parts dominant and terrifying, the Miami Marlins held on for a nail-biting 4-3 victory over the Washington Nationals, clinching not only their sixth series win of the season but also their first set of consecutive wins since late May. It wasn't easy, and it certainly wasn't pretty in the end, but it was a win the team desperately needed.
5 2/3 shutout innings, 2 baserunners allowed, 1 career-long outing. Janson Junk was the unlikely hero the Marlins desperately needed.
The story of this game isn't the final score; it's the masterful performance of Janson Junk. Called upon in the third inning, the right-hander delivered the longest and most dominant outing of his career. Junk was simply untouchable, navigating 5 2/3 shutout innings while allowing only two baserunners. He stabilized a game that could have gotten away early and earned his first MLB victory since July 2022. For a bullpen that's been taxed, Junk's effort was more than just a great performance; it was a lifeline.
While Junk was dealing on the mound, the offense provided just enough breathing room, thanks in large part to Jesús Sánchez. With the game getting tight in the seventh, Sánchez turned on a pitch and sent it sailing for a go-ahead solo home run, his most decisive swing in weeks. The blast gave Miami a 3-1 lead they would precariously hold. Contributions like a run-scoring single from Hicks helped build the lead, which proved to be just enough cushion for the late-game drama.
Just when it seemed the Marlins would cruise to victory, the ninth inning happened. Anthony Bender struggled mightily, allowing two runs and loading the bases with nobody out, turning a comfortable lead into a 4-3 tightrope walk. With the game on the line, the call went to Calvin Faucher. He entered a seemingly impossible situation and slammed the door, inducing a pop-up to end the threat and secure his seventh, and most dramatic, save of the season.
This win feels like more than just one victory. It's a series win. It's back-to-back Ws. It's a sign of life and resilience. The challenge now is to build on it. Can Janson Junk's emergence provide a new weapon in the pitching staff? Can the offense continue to get the one big hit when it matters? This two-day stretch against the Nationals provided a blueprint for success. Now, the Marlins have to prove they can follow it consistently and turn a small winning streak into a season-altering run.
