In a thrilling late-inning rally, Christopher Morel delivered a go-ahead single in the eighth inning, powering the Miami Marlins to a 5-2 victory over the Washington Nationals on Sunday. The win marked Miami's second straight after a tough stretch of losing five of their previous six games.

The game was knotted at 2-2 when Morel stepped up with one out and punched a single to center off Nationals reliever Gus Varland (0-1), putting the Marlins ahead. The fireworks didn't stop there. After Miami executed their second double steal of the inning—with Jakob Marsee swiping two bags to bring his season total to 12, tied for fifth in the majors—Heriberto Hernández laced a two-run single to center, scoring Morel and Marsee and giving the Marlins a commanding 5-2 lead.

The Marlins' bullpen locked it down from there. Andrew Nardi retired the first two batters of the ninth before handing the ball to rookie Josh Ekness, who slammed the door for his first career save. Calvin Faucher (4-2) was brilliant in relief, tossing two scoreless innings without allowing a hit while walking just one.

Miami struck first in the third inning when Liam Hicks singled home a run. Xavier Edwards later scored on a fielding error by Nationals shortstop Nasim Nuñez during Otto Lopez's fielder's choice. Nationals starter Cade Cavalli was solid in a no-decision, allowing two runs on four hits with four strikeouts over 5 2/3 innings, though he did hit three batters—including two in a row in the sixth.

Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara turned in a strong start, permitting two runs on five hits over six innings. Washington got on the board in the fourth on Brady House's run-scoring groundout, and Luis García Jr. added an RBI double in the fifth.

Up Next: The Nationals head to Cincinnati on Tuesday, sending RHP Miles Mikolas (1-3, 7.44 ERA) against Reds RHP Brady Singer (2-2, 5.63). Meanwhile, the Marlins travel to Minnesota, where RHP Eury Pérez (2-4, 5.01) faces Twins RHP Bailey Ober (3-2, 4.19).