The Washington Nationals came out swinging in Miami, building an early 4-0 lead that had fans dreaming of a series victory. But baseball is a game of momentum, and the Nationals watched theirs slip through their fingertips in an 8-7 loss to the Marlins in game two of the three-game series.

It all started so promisingly. James Wood set the tone on just the seventh pitch of the game, crushing an 86 mph slider 442 feet to right-center for a solo home run. The Nationals weren't done there. Luis Garcia Jr. singled to center, and Brady House followed with a double to left, putting runners on second and third with no outs. CJ Abrams then delivered a single to right, driving in both Garcia and House to give Washington a commanding 3-0 lead after just four batters.

The Nationals' defense was equally impressive in the opening frame. After Marlins catcher Liam Hicks walked and Kyle Stowers doubled to right, Hicks attempted to score from first. But James Wood's throw to shortstop Nasim Nuñez was on the money, and Nuñez's powerful relay to home plate cut Hicks down by a landslide, keeping the Marlins scoreless through one.

The Nationals extended their lead in the third inning thanks to Abrams' electrifying speed. What looked like a would-be home run fell just short of the wall, but the ball got lost in the Miami outfield defense, allowing Abrams to race all the way to third base. Daylen Lile's sacrifice fly to center was deep enough to bring Abrams home, pushing the Nationals' lead to 4-0 with plenty of baseball left to play.

But the Marlins finally found their footing, and the Nationals' early momentum evaporated as quickly as it had appeared. Miami chipped away at the lead, eventually completing the comeback and handing Washington a heartbreaking one-run loss. For Nationals fans, it was a stark reminder that in baseball, no lead is ever safe—especially on the road.