James Wood's 4 RBIs weren't enough as the Nats' bullpen collapsed in an 11-9 loss to the Marlins on June 14, 2025, extending their losing streak to six.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a night of dizzying highs and crushing lows at Nationals Park. For a fleeting moment, it felt like the losing streak was destined to end in a blaze of glory, thanks to a spectacular performance from top prospect James Wood. But in a story that's become all too familiar, the Washington Nationals' comeback bid was undone by a faltering bullpen, leading to a gut-wrenching 11-9 loss to the Miami Marlins.
James Wood finished with a home run, a double, and four RBIs, sparking a five-run rally that nearly erased a six-run deficit.
The game felt over before it truly began, as the Marlins stormed out to a 6-0 lead, powered by two early home runs from A. Ramirez. But the Nationals refused to go quietly. The bottom of the seventh inning was pure magic, a five-run explosion that sent a jolt through the ballpark. The rally featured RBI hits from Nathaniel Lowe, Alex Call, and Keibert Ruiz, but the main event was James Wood's two-run double that brought the Nats to within a single run. The comeback, however, was short-lived, as the Marlins tacked on crucial insurance runs in the eighth to seal Washington's fate.
If you're looking for a silver lining in this tough stretch, look no further than James Wood. The towering rookie was the best player on the field Saturday, going 2-for-5 and driving in four of the team's nine runs. His seventh-inning double was the spark, and his earlier two-run homer was a display of raw power. Wood isn't just putting up good numbers; he's becoming the heart of the offense, leading the team in RBIs for June and establishing himself among the National League's elite rookies.
You can't win baseball games if you can't close them out, and the Nationals' bullpen is learning that lesson the hard way. The unit was tagged for five runs over the final three frames, erasing the offense's heroic effort. Jose Ferrer couldn't stop the bleeding in the seventh, and the Marlins capitalized with key hits, including a back-breaking two-run single by E. Wagaman in the eighth. The bullpen's ERA has soared over this six-game skid, and finding reliable arms for high-leverage situations has become the team's most pressing issue.
While the big-league club struggles, positive news is brewing in the minor leagues. Farm director Eddie Longosz recently praised the development of top pitching prospects Travis Sykora and Jarlin Susana. Both right-handers are reportedly impressing with their professionalism and their ability to light up the radar gun in the triple digits. They're joined by Alex Clemmey, an arm acquired from Cleveland, who is racking up strikeouts at an impressive clip. While he needs to refine his control, the sheer talent in the pipeline offers a comforting glimpse into a brighter future on the mound.
The frustration of a six-game losing streak is real, and the bullpen issues demand immediate attention. Yet, amidst the current struggles, the blueprint for the future is becoming clearer. With James Wood looking like a franchise cornerstone at the plate and high-octane arms developing in the farm system, there's a tangible sense of hope. For now, the focus shifts to tomorrow, where the Nationals will once again try to put a tally in the win column and stop the bleeding.
