The Nats blew a ninth-inning lead for the second straight day and wound up falling to the Florida Marlins in extra innings -- again.
But Saturday's most dramatic moment came when center fielder Roger Bernadina, who got a big break with a last-minute lineup change, broke his right ankle making an amazing catch against the wall. The crowd kept cheering until they realized Bernadina couldn't get up.
Florida's Dan Uggla hit the ball to deep center in the eighth inning. Bernadina chased it back to the wall, flew up and right as he caught it his body slammed against the outfield wall. He fell to the ground where he stayed for about a minute and then Manager Manny Acta helped him off the field. Bernadina's on the disabled list and could stay there for months, according to the Washington Post.
The Marlins beat the Nationals 9-6. The Marlins have won six straight and have a 10-1 record -- the best in the major leagues. The Nationals have the worst record at 1-9.
Florida's Jeremy Hermida was the star Fish. He hit a three-run homer in the 11th inning after tying it with a dinger in the ninth.
Hermida hit a two-run homer off Joel Hanrahan to tie the game in ninth. It was the second-straight blown save for the Nats closer.
Hermida capped the power surge when he hit a 1-2 pitch from Wil Ledezma into the right-center field stands for win.
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Kiko Calero (1-0), Florida's fifth pitcher, was the winner. He pitched 1 1-3 scoreless innings.
Ross Gload led off the 11th with a walk off Julian Tavarez (0-1) who took the loss for the Nats.
The two teams play again Sunday when the Nats send Daniel Cabrera to the mound. He is 0-1 on the season with a 4.91 ERA in two previous starts.
