The Marlins continued their torrid June run Friday night, getting a dominant bullpen performance and a big game from Owen Caissie to beat the Giants 4-3. Eight pitchers combined to secure the victory as Miami climbed back to .500 and remained firmly in the National League Wild Card race.
Owen Caissie came through for the Miami Marlins in a major way on Friday.
The Canadian rookie knocked in three hits and drove in three runs, including a solo home run, to lead the Marlins to a 4-3 win over the San Francisco Giants in Miami.
Caissie has not only homered in two consecutive games, but half of his six hits from the past seven games went yard.
Caissie put the Marlins ahead early with a solo shot in the first inning. After the Giants tied the game in the second inning, Caissie struck back with an RBI double in the fifth to give Miami a 2-1 lead.
The Giants took a 3-2 lead in the sixth with a home run by Rafael Devers and an RBI single by Casey Schmitt.
The Marlins rallied back in the seventh inning with an RBI single by Liam Hicks and a sacrifice fly by Caissie to secure the win. The Marlins totaled 10 hits and never wavered in their belief to come from behind.
“I don’t think we ever had any doubt the whole time,” said Marlins outfielder Jakob Marsee, who had a walk, a hit, and his 18th stolen base, “and we just knew it was a matter of time.”
The Marlins (38-38) returned to .500 on the season with the win and remain two games behind in the race for the third and final wild card spot in the National League playoffs. The Fightin’ Fish vaulted back into postseason contention after a 12-4 run to start June, which is the best record in the Major Leagues this month.
The Marlins used the entire bullpen on Friday. Eight pitchers took the mound in the game, with none of them working more than two innings. Combined, they allowed nine hits and three earned runs while striking out five batters.
Cade Gibson earned his first win of the season after pitching 1.2 innings. He threw 21 pitches, 13 for strikes, and recorded one strikeout. He didn’t give up a hit or a walk in the appearance.
Clayton McCullough handed the ball to Pete Fairbanks to shut the door in the ninth, and that's just what he did to earn his 10th save of the season. He threw 17 pitches, 12 for strikes, and did not allow a hit or a walk in the ninth for his 100th career save.
Giants starter Landen Roupp turned in six strong innings, allowing seven hits and two earned runs while striking out seven. He threw 98 pitches in the outing.
Sam Hentges was charged with the loss after giving up the lead in the seventh inning. He threw 11 pitches, allowing two hits and two earned runs.
Coming off a day off after going 3–3 on their road trip and their first series loss of the month, the Marlins were looking to start their home stand right with an opening series win against the Giants.
With their bullpen taxed, the Marlins will rely on Max Meyer (7-0, 2.75 ERA) to turn in another ace-like performance against the Giants, who will send out Trevor McDonald (2-4, 4.64 ERA).
With a win, the Marlins would secure their fifth series win out of six series in June.
