The Marlins suffered their first loss of 2026 as Chris Paddack allowed eight runs in a 9-4 defeat to the White Sox despite a strong showing from Liam Hicks.
The Miami Marlins finally looked human.
After opening the 2026 season with three straight wins, Miami dropped its first game of the year in a 9-4 loss to the Chicago White Sox. And while the offense showed flashes, this game was defined by one thing: a disastrous start that put the Marlins in a hole they could not climb out of.
Chris Paddack set the tone early, and not in a good way.
Paddack lasted just four innings, allowing eight runs on eight hits with two home runs. The damage came quickly and in bunches. Chicago hung four runs in the third inning and followed with another four-run burst in the fourth, effectively ending the game before Miami could settle in. Despite striking out six, Paddack’s stuff lacked the sharpness needed to survive mistakes. His fastball generated contact instead of swing-and-miss, and when he missed in the zone, hitters did not miss back.
Miguel Vargas did the most damage, driving in six runs, including a towering home run that highlighted just how hittable Paddack was. Austin Hays added a three-run shot of his own, and suddenly a game that felt manageable early turned into a blowout.
The numbers tell the story. Paddack allowed eight hits on just 79 pitches, and Chicago consistently barreled or squared up his offerings. Even when contact was not loud, it was timely. That combination proved lethal.
To Miami’s credit, they did not completely fold.
Liam Hicks continued his strong start to the season, going 2-for-4 with a three-run home run that briefly gave the Marlins life. Xavier Edwards also stayed hot at the top of the lineup with two hits, and Jakob Marsee added a triple as Miami tried to chip away at the deficit. The Marlins finished with eight hits and a .250 expected batting average, showing they were not overmatched offensively.
But the hole was simply too deep.
The bullpen actually stabilized things after Paddack exited. Lake Bachar allowed just one run over three innings, and John King and Michael Petersen combined for two scoreless frames. That effort kept the game from spiraling further, but it also underscored how costly the early innings were.
If the first three games showed the Marlins’ versatility, this one exposed their margin for error. Miami has proven it can win close games, but it cannot survive when the starting pitching collapses early.
Through four games, the takeaway is clear. The Marlins’ formula works, but it depends heavily on getting a competitive start. On this night, they did not get one, and the result was their first loss of the season.
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