Janson Junk (1-0) worked 5 2/3 scoreless innings of relief in a bullpen game, allowing two hits and striking out four. Faucher earned his seventh save.

The Washington Nationals fell to an agonizing 4-3 defeat in their game against the Miami Marlins on Saturday. But it was not all doom and gloom for the Nationals and their fans as the team’s “top paw-spect” made his long-awaited MLB debut.

Miami Marlins (27-41, fifth in the NL East) vs. Washington Nationals (30-40, fourth in the NL East) Washington; Sunday, 1:35 p.m. EDT PITCHING PROBABLES: Marlins: Eury Perez (0-1, 12.00 ERA, 2.00 WHIP,

The Nationals won the pregame with a special ceremonial performance by Bruce the Bat Dog before losing the actual game.

Nationals manager Dave Martinez is not exactly sure where to point fingers for his team’s cold streak, but he knows where not to point them.

Washington Nationals manager Dave Martinez bristled when asked how much of his team's recent offensive struggles should be apportioned between players and his coaches after the 4-3 loss to the Miami Marlins.

Bruce the Dat Dog was promoted from Triple-A to take the field for Saturday's showdown between the Nationals and Marlins, even getting an official patch.