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 Miami Marlins will go for their first series sweep of the season when they visit the Washington Nationals on Sunday afternoon.

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

Rookie Agustín Ramírez hit two home runs and Eric Wagaman had three RBIs to help the Miami Marlins hand the Washington Nationals their sixth straight loss, 11-9 in a game that included a rain delay of more than two hours.

Washington’s offense shakes off its rust following a two-plus hour rain delay, but it’s not enough to overcome pitching woes in an 11-9 loss to the Marlins.

The Miami Marlins and Washington Nationals will have a quick turnaround for the middle game of their series on Saturday.

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.