VIERA, Fla. | Ross Detwiler knows the math, and he understands he’s most likely the odd man out.
Detwiler pitched five innings for the Nationals, giving up one run on five hits with two strikeouts, but Chris Coghlan hit a go-ahead, bases-loaded triple in the seventh inning to lead the Florida Marlins to a 6-4 victory over Washington on Sunday.
“There’s five spots and six people” said Detwiler, who appears headed to Triple-A. “I know it’s not a perfect game. Not everybody’s going to finish the season like you would like them to, but I’ll get my opportunity when it comes.”
Detwiler underwent hip surgery in February 2010, and only saw action in eight games major league games last season, going 1-3 with a 4.25 ERA. He also pitched 10 games in the minors between three clubs.
“Det’s never pitched himself off the club,” Nationals manager Jim Riggleman said. “He’s made a lot of nice strides since he had that hip surgery. He’s come along and done some nice things.”
Trailing 3-1 in the seventh, the Marlins rallied for five runs off reliever Brian Broderick.
Coghlan finished with two hits, was hit by a pitch, and scored twice.
“When Broderick came in, it was unfortunate,” Riggleman said. “He’s a contact pitcher and the groundballs found the holes today. A couple of balls just out of reach, they got a rally going, and the next thing you know they got some balls in the air and it’s a big inning.”
Marlins starter Adalberto Mendez pitched 3 2-3 innings, allowing one run and two hits with four walks.
Washington’s Ross Detwiler gave up one run on five hits in five innings. He struck out two.
Michael Morse hit a solo homer for the Nationals, his ninth of the spring.
NOTES: The Nationals traded OF Nyjer Morgan to the Milwaukee Brewers for minor leaguer Cutter Dykstra and cash. Nationals 1B Adam LaRoche, who has missed the last three games with left shoulder soreness, is expected to DH Monday, and play the field Tuesday.
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