MIAMI -- If you’re going to get beaten, the saying goes, get beaten with your best.

Trevor Richards experienced that on Sunday in the Marlins’ 5-0 series finale loss to the Nationals at Marlins Park.

The changeup is Richards’ undisputed best pitch, and it was effective yet again on Sunday afternoon. The right-hander threw 36 of them against the Nationals, and induced 13 swinging strikes.

“My offspeed was around the zone better,” Richards said. “I left some pitches up that I would have back if I could, but it’s OK -- build on this one and keep going.”

But two changeups missed their mark, and the Nationals made Richards pay. Ryan Zimmerman homered on a changeup with two outs in the fourth inning, which opened the scoring. And Brian Dozier connected on the same pitch in the seventh inning. Zimmerman added a solo home run off Tyler Kinley in the eighth.

“Overall, I was fine,” Richards said. “The one was decent to Zimmerman, who was ready for it. I left the second one up, big time. I just got to work on keeping it down.”

It’s the first time this season that Richards has surrendered the long ball via his most effective pitch. Opposing batters entered the afternoon hitting a mere .103 off Richards’ changeup, and they had just two extra base hits -- both doubles. In his rookie season last year, batters hit .164 off the changeup with four home runs.

Richards gave up three runs in 6 1/3 innings with seven strikeouts on Sunday. Of his 100 pitches, he had 22 swinging strikes.

“A couple of changeups,” manager Don Mattingly said. “In general, I thought he was good. His changeup makes everything work. It’s always good. He’s a tough handle. I promise you, guys on the other side aren’t happy about having to face him. You’ve got to go to war with a guy like that. He changes speeds so well. You’ve got to know what you’re doing up there.”

Overall, the Marlins wrapped up their best three-game series of the season. Here are three takeaways from the weekend.

1) Brinson slumping at the plate

There is a sense of urgency for center fielder Lewis Brinson to pick things up at the plate. Brinson is 1-for-27 with 16 strikeouts in his past 11 games. Against the Nationals this weekend, Brinson was hitless in five at-bats, with three strikeouts, including an 0-for-3 day with two strikeouts against Strasburg.

With his average down to .179, Brinson is working with a shorter leash than his rookie 2018 season. If he doesn’t turn things around, an option to the Minor Leagues is a possibility.

“Last year, we were really patient,” Mattingly said. “To the point that we wanted to let him get that experience. We also talked about -- it probably wouldn't be that same amount this year. You’re always looking at your roster, what makes us better right now, what’s the best for the guys. You’re always looking to make your club a little bit better.”

Sunday was the only game Brinson started in the series. He has been working on his mechanics at the plate, watching video, and putting himself in a better position to hit.

“Just trying to have a better approach, to get in a better spot to hit and recognize pitches,” Brinson said. “I’m trying to get in a better position. I was there at the beginning of the season, and once the season started, I kind of got away from that. Refining it, and trying to get back to where I was.”

2) Chen adjusting to bullpen

Wei-Yin Chen’s struggles this season are no secret. The left-hander is adjusting to pitching in relief, and he’s labored with a 16.43 ERA in 7 2/3 innings. Chen logged two outs in the ninth inning, allowing an RBI single to Wilmer Difo, with the run being charged to Tyler Kinley. Chen struck out Matt Adams and retired Adam Eaton on a force-out grounder to second. While Statcast tracked the pitch as a slider, it actually is a cutter that Chen has been slowly incorporating.

“I didn’t really think of it as an off-speed pitch,” Chen said. “I think of it as a fastball with a little different grip. I’m not really sure how far it I will go with it, but I’m seeing how the hitters react.”

3) Mattingly optimistic on style of play

The Marlins may have been shutout for the sixth time on Sunday, but the way they played on Saturday, grinding out at-bats, playing strong defense and using their speed in a 9-3 win is how the club is hoping to play.

“That was our best game this year,” Mattingly said. “You see the fight and quality of our at-bats. You saw the speed on the bases. The defense. That’s really the way we want to play.”