Washington Nationals starting pitcher Andrew Alvarez, left, and catcher CJ Stubbs get doused with water by Josh Bell after securing a win against the Miami Marlins in their major league debuts at Nationals Park, Monday, Sept. 1, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jess Rapfogel)

Alvarez 2nd Nats starter in 15 years to win big league debut, beats Marlins 2-0 to stop 8-game skid

WASHINGTON (AP) — Andrew Alvarez allowed one hit over five innings to become only the second Washington starter in 15 years to win his major league debut, and the Nationals beat the Miami Marlins 2-0 Monday to stop an eight-game losing streak.

A 26-year-old left-hander selected in the 12th round of the 2021 amateur draft, Alvarez allowed his only hit when Victor Mesa Jr. singled to left with one out in the fifth. He struck out four and walked two, throwing 44 of 81 pitches for strikes. Alvarez (1-0) averaged 91.8 mph with 22 fastballs and also threw 27 sliders, 21 curveballs, six sinkers and five changeups.

Alvarez joined Mitchell Parker in 2024 as the only Nationals starters to win their major league debuts since Stephen Strasburg in 2010.

Alvarez and catcher CJ Stubbs were the first batterymates each making their major league debut Pittsburgh’s Quinn Preister and Endy Rodriguez on July 17, 2023. They became the first for the Nationals since Shairon Martis and Luke Montz on Sept. 4, 2008, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

Four relievers finished a two-hitter, with Jose A. Ferrer working around a walk in the ninth inning for his fifth save in seven chances. Washington relievers have pitched 13 scoreless innings over three games.

Miami was shut out for the eighth time this season but first since July 10.

Daylen Lile hit a run-scoring triple and Andrés Chaparro had a sacrifice fly in a two-run second off Lake Bachar (5-2), who started in a bullpen game.

Key Moment

Miami’s Xavier Edwards was ejected five pitches into the game by plate umpire Brennan Miller. Edwards grounded to first leading off after a four-pitch at-bat that included a pair of called strikes, then apparently argued after returning to the dugout and was tossed after the first pitch to Agustín Ramírez.

Key Stat

Alvarez became the first pitcher since the franchise moved to Washington for 2005 to throw at least five scoreless innings in his major league debut.

Up Next

Marlins RHP Adam Mazur (0-1, 5.59) and Nationals Cade Cavalli (1-1, 5.11) start on Tuesday night.

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

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Andrew Alvarez gestures after throwing to the Miami Marlins during the third inning of a baseball game at Nationals Park, Monday, Sept. 1, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jess Rapfogel)
Washington Nationals’ Luis Garcia Jr. slides into home plate and scores on a triple hit by Daylen Lile during the second inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins at Nationals Park, Monday, Sept. 1, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jess Rapfogel)
Washington Nationals catcher CJ Stubbs throws out Miami Marlins’ Xavier Edwards at first base during the first inning of a baseball game at Nationals Park, Monday, Sept. 1, 2025, in Washington. This marks Stubbs’ Major League debut. (AP Photo/Jess Rapfogel)
Miami Marlins starting pitcher Lake Bachar throws to the Washington Nationals during the second inning of a baseball game at Nationals Park, Monday, Sept. 1, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jess Rapfogel)

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