On Robles, McGowin, Roark, Zimmerman and attendance

The focus Wednesday obviously was on Bryce Harper, whose potential farewell to Nationals Park didn't quite go as hoped, both for performance and weather-related reasons. But there was plenty else going on during the course of the Nats' 9-3, seven-inning win over the Marlins. Let's run through some of the other notable developments ...

* Victor Robles had the best game of his brief major league career. The rookie center fielder went 4-for-5 with a double, a homer and five RBIs, and in the process continued the upward trend of the last week.

As has typically been the case when he has been promoted to a new level of the minors, Robles struggled at the outset of his 2018 debut in Washington at the beginning of the month. He began 3-for-20 and didn't look particularly comfortable at the plate.

Since then, the 21-year-old outfielder has gone 11-for-31 with six extra-base hits, earning rave reviews.

"He has made adjustments up here," manager Davey Martinez said. "The biggest thing was for him to work at-bats and stay in at-bats and not chase. And he's done a good job on that, putting the ball in play."

Robles was flanked in the outfield by Harper and Juan Soto, a dynamic trio if ever there was one. Who knows if they'll get a chance to play together in 2019, but Robles appreciated the opportunity he got for at least this one game.

"Very proud to have been able to be on the field with both him and Juan," he said, through interpreter Octavio Martinez. "Not only on the field, but as well as in the clubhouse, they're both great teammates. On the field, Harp has been a great help to me and just showing me. So I wish him all the best. Hopefully, he's back. And if he's not, I wish him all the best."

* Kyle McGowin made the most of his opportunity to start a big league game for the first time ... until a blister brought an abrupt halt to his day.

McGowin, who got the nod with Tanner Roark still in Atlanta with his wife and newborn son, retired the first 11 Miami batters he faced, showing off an impressive sinker. He retired only one of the final five batters he faced, though, prompting a mound visit from director of athletic training Paul Lessard that ended his outing.

McGowin said he had a blister on his right middle finger. It's something he dealt with once earlier this season in the minors, but not since he reached Washington earlier this month.

"In August, it started with me," he said. "But I've never had this problem before."

McGowin, who had made three relief appearances prior to this start, was grateful to Martinez for choosing him for this assignment, one the 26-year-old rookie waited a long time to experience.

"I can't thank Davey and the Nationals enough for giving me this opportunity," he said. "Everything worked out where I was able to have this opportunity and felt comfortable starting, finally. It was tough learning a new role, but now I'm feeling at home."

* Speaking of Roark, it does not appear he'll be rejoining the Nationals this season. The right-hander already had his scheduled start pushed back twice following his son's birth, and though he was in Washington for two days late last week, he quickly returned to Atlanta to be with his family.

The Nationals have Joe Ross set to start Friday night at Colorado, with Stephen Strasburg and Max Scherzer tentatively scheduled to start the final two games of the season (though that could change).

Roark, however, will not be pitching any of those games.

"No, I think it's more important right now that he stays with his family," Martinez said.

* Ryan Zimmerman departed Wednesday's game after only two innings, not because his manager was trying to orchestrate an end-of-season ovation from the fans for the veteran first baseman, but because his back tightened up during the game.

Martinez said Zimmerman is hopeful he'll be able to play Friday. If not, Mark Reynolds will get the nod at first base.

* With the home portion of their schedule now complete, the Nationals finished the 2018 season having drawn a total of 2,529,604 fans. That worked out to an average of 31,230 (12th out of 30 MLB clubs).

Attendance was up ever so slightly from 2017, when the Nats averaged 31,117 fans per game, 10th best in the majors.