Nationals fall to Marlins 6-2 on June 15, 2025, as James Wood's 18th HR isn't enough to overcome a tough start from MacKenzie Gore. Read the full recap.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Another Sunday at Nationals Park, another tough loss. The Washington Nationals fell to the Miami Marlins 6-2, sealing a series loss and extending a brutal June slump. While the team-wide struggles on offense continued to be the main story, rookie sensation James Wood once again provided a glimpse of a brighter future, launching his team-leading 18th home run in another standout performance.
James is showing why he's such a big part of our future. He keeps grinding, even when the team is struggling.
Starter MacKenzie Gore couldn't find his rhythm on Sunday, lasting just 4.1 innings and getting tagged for five earned runs. The big blow came in a three-run third inning for Miami, capped by a two-run double from Jazz Chisholm Jr. that put the game out of reach early. Gore's record fell to 3-6, and the Nationals' pitching staff couldn't hold back a Marlins lineup that capitalized on every opportunity. For Miami, Eury Pérez was sharp, striking out eight Nats over six strong innings to earn his first win of the season.
If there's one reason to tune in to Nationals baseball right now, it's James Wood. The towering rookie was the lone source of offense, going 2-for-4 with a double and a thunderous solo home run in the sixth inning. That homer was the team's only extra-base hit of the day. Wood now leads the club with 18 homers and 51 RBIs, all while maintaining a .285 batting average. His consistent power and production are a stark contrast to the rest of the lineup's performance.
The loss dropped the Nationals to a dismal 29-43 record, and the underlying numbers paint a grim picture. The team's offense has gone ice-cold in June, posting a collective .220 batting average for the month. Over their last 13 games, a stretch in which they've lost 11 times, Washington is averaging a meager 2.4 runs per game. Sunday's six-hit, 11-strikeout performance was just the latest example of a lineup that is struggling to find any sort of spark or consistency.
While the big-league club struggles, there's positive news brewing in the minor leagues. Farm director Eddie Longosz praised the development of top pitching prospects Travis Sykora and Jarlin Susana, highlighting their professional preparation. Alex Clemmey, the key return in the Lane Thomas trade, is also making waves with his high strikeout numbers. While command is still a work in progress for Clemmey, the focus on developing these high-ceiling arms provides a crucial dose of long-term optimism for the fanbase.
It's a tough time to be a Nationals fan, with losses piling up and the offense looking lost at sea. The 2025 season is quickly becoming a story about player development rather than pennant races. The focus shifts to the daily progress of James Wood and the hopeful reports from the farm system. The team needs to find a way to snap out of this funk, but for now, the future, not the present, holds the most promise for Washington.
