Returning faces, recurring struggles featured in Nats' loss

MIAMI -- The momentum of a three-game winning streak was halted when the Nationals opened their series against the Marlins with a 12-2 loss at loanDepot park. Four home runs and 14 hits were allowed by the Nats’ pitchers, while an offense that connected on eight hits didn’t get going until the sixth when the game already was lopsided.

Here are three takeaways from the Nationals’ Tuesday night matchup against their NL East opponent.

Adon, Lee on the mound
With Patrick Corbin, Erick Fedde, Josiah Gray, Joan Adon and Evan Lee on the 26-man roster, Stephen Strasburg’s upcoming season debut on Thursday will mean there is an extra starting pitcher the next turn in the rotation. On Tuesday, both Adon and Lee took the mound: Adon started and Lee -- who is coming up in the Nats organization as a starter -- pitched out of the bullpen.

In his 12th start of 2022, Adon gave up eight runs (including two homers) in three innings against the Marlins. He went fastball heavy without throwing a changeup, and manager Dave Martinez noted the Marlins made the most of Adon working with only two pitches. The 23-year-old dropped to 1-10 with a 6.95 ERA on the season.

“It’s something very difficult, even though sometimes I might not show it,” Adon said. “But we’re here for a reason, to do our job, and we’ve got to go out there and keep competing.”

Lee made his first appearance since starting in his Major League debut last Wednesday. The 24-year-old pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings (one hit, two strikeouts) in relief as Martinez looked to keep him stretched out. Ranked as the Nats’ No. 17 prospect per MLB Pipeline, Lee is the only left-hander in the Nats’ bullpen.

“I’ve definitely got to keep an eye on how we use him and what we do, but it was nice to get him out there today and get a couple innings out of him,” Martinez said.

Adrianza back in action
Veteran super utility player ?Ehire Adrianza? made his season debut with the Nationals as a pinch-hitter in his reinstatement from the 60-day injured list on Tuesday. Adrianza had been sidelined since straining his left quad during a Spring Training game on March 31.

“For me, it’s like Opening Day right now,” Adrianza said pregame. “I’m getting to know the guys a little bit more, and get used to the team. I’m ready to go.”

Lauded by Martinez for being able to play “everywhere,” Adrianza got reps at second base, third base and shortstop during his rehab assignment. He can provide infield depth, especially with Alcides Escobar on the 10-day IL (right hamstring strain), and can be a veteran go-to for 22-year-old middle infielder Luis García.

“[Adrianza will] get some starts,” Martinez said. “We've got some guys that have played everyday so far, so having him around is kind of nice to get some of these guys off their feet. But also, too, coming off the bench with him will be nice because he can do so many different things.”

Looking for offense
After tallying 23 runs in their last three games against the Reds, the Nats’ offense reverted back to another quiet performance. They were held scoreless by Edward Cabrera for five innings before García hit his first home run of the season in the sixth. In total, they plated two runs or less for the 26th time this season.

“[Cabrera] mixed in some good pitches, threw a lot of changeups, a lot of breaking balls, kept us off balance,” Martinez said. “Nellie [Nelson Cruz] had a good swing, I thought he hit that ball better. Lane [Thomas] seemed like he was on the ball pretty good all day. But other than that, [Cabrera] kept his changeup down, which was very effective.”

García’s Statcast-estimated 442-foot dinger was a positive step for the 22-year-old, who was called up from Triple-A on Wednesday. After batting .242 in 70 Major League games last season, he hit .314 in 42 games with the Red Wings this season leading up to his promotion.

“It feels very different [from last season],” García said of his swing. “I worked a lot this offseason on staying on my backside and trying to hit the ball middle-away. I feel a lot stronger, and I feel like my swing’s a lot shorter and quicker.”