Ruiz finishes three short of cycle, Nationals continue dominance over Marlins, win 6-2

MIAMI—- Keibert Ruiz fell three runs short of completing the series, Jacob Young also had three hits, and the Washington Nationals beat the Miami Marlins 6-2 on Tuesday night.

Patrick Corbin continued his strong start streak, scoring twice in 5 2/3 innings and Joey Gallo hit three home runs for the Nationals, who are 8-0 against the Marlins this season after going 6-26 against NL East opponents in the past two seasons.

Corbin (5-12) allowed seven hits and tied a season-high eight strikeouts. The left-hander won his third straight start after going 2-12 in his previous 25 appearances.

“Just try to do what worked and keep going,” Corbin said. “Stay away from the middle of the plate and mix it up. Keep doing that and keep those batsmen off balance and locating pitches.”

Corbin, who is entering the final month of a six-year contract with Washington, has led the league in sacks over the past three seasons.

“Patrick Corbin was really good again. It was incredible,” Nationals coach Dave Martinez said.

Ruiz continued his streak of success with the Marlins, where he recorded 18 hits, including five extra-base hits, in 16 games.

“I have family here and obviously it’s a different energy,” said Ruiz, who is living in South Florida during the offseason. “I was hitting balls and not trying to do too much. It’s got to be a plan and stay consistent.”

Young’s RBI single in the third inning gave the Nationals a 1-0 lead. Ruiz hit the leadoff double and drove home after Young’s fly ball down the sideline bounced off the right field line.

The Nationals extended their lead with a home run by Gallo in the fourth inning, his first since June 3 after missing 60 games with a left hamstring strain.

“He’s the Joey Gallo we’ve seen over the years,” Martinez said. “Hopefully he’ll have a really good month, not just for us, but for himself. He’s worked really hard to get back, and when he starts hitting the ball like that, they tend to come in bunches.”

Miami scored when Connor Norby scored on a double in the fifth inning.

Ruiz’s two-out solo shot in the sixth made it 5-1 and caught Max Meyer (3-5), who had allowed five runs and nine hits. The rookie right-hander walked and struck out five in 5 2/3 innings.

“I thought he was playing better than his line would suggest,” Marlins manager Skip Schumaker said of Meyer. “He got away from his changeup after the second or third inning and became a two-pitch pitcher. His throw to Gallo was off target.”

Cristian Pache reduced the deficit with an RBI double in the sixth inning before Washington regained a four-run lead with an RBI groundout by Andrés Chaparro in the ninth inning.

Marlins starter Xavier Edwards returned from the injured list and went 0-for-5. Before being sidelined on August 24 with a sore back, Edwards took over as the starter, posting a .349 average and 22 stolen bases in 47 games.

TRAINER’S OFFICE

Nationals: RHP Cade Cavalli (right elbow surgery) threw 20 balls in the bullpen Tuesday, his first since experiencing dead-arm fatigue during a rehab outing in May. Depending on his progress, Cavalli could face batters before the end of the season.

Marlins: OF Jesús Sánchez left the game with a mild back spasm he suffered after successfully stealing a base in the second inning. … RHP Anthony Bender (right shoulder contusion) threw a scoreless inning in a rehab game against Triple-A Jacksonville on Tuesday.

What’s next?

In Wednesday’s final game of the doubleheader, the Nationals will feature left-handed pitcher MacKenzie Gore (8-11, 4:45), while the Marlins will feature right-handed pitcher Valente Bellozo (2-2, 4:32).

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB