MIAMI — If there was ever a time to have a season-record losing streak, July is not the month to have it. 

The Miami Marlins went from a 20-6 June to go 10 games over .500 and become firmly implanted in the race for the postseason. 11 straight losses later, and the Fish are now under .500 (52-53), back in fourth place in the NL East and three games out of the playoffs. 

“I think every game is kind of its own chapter in a story,” Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said. “I think for the most part, we just haven't done enough within these games to find a way to get on top and to win.”

The Marlins dropped their latest game to the San Diego Padres, 7-2, despite a fourth-straight quality start from Eury Pérez, who went a career-high seven innings with three runs allowed on seven hits. 

“I don’t think I would qualify this as a great quality start because there was a lot of soft contact and a few runs I’m not too happy about,” Pérez said via interpreter Luis Dorante. “Very grateful for the fact they let me finish that seventh inning. The trust is something I really appreciate.”

The Marlins will send out Janson Junk in the series finale in hopes of finally putting an end to the losing streak. Junk will make his first career start against the Padres. Junk is coming off his second start since returning from the injured list for right shin bone inflammation.

Junk allowed six runs in the second inning, including back-to-back home runs. He lasted four innings in Miami’s 8-5 loss against Houston on July 20. 

Marlins outfielder Esteury Ruiz stole his 100th career base on Saturday. With 24 bags, Ruiz leads a Marlins squad that has totaled 112 stolen bases on the year, which ranks second behind only the Washington Nationals (116) in the Major Leagues.

Marlins rookie catcher Joe Mack enters Sunday’s game having collected at least one RBI in five straight games. Mack also has 10 home runs and caught 19 base stealers since making his MLB debut on May 4. 

No. 6 prospect Cam Cannarella went 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles during Triple-A Jacksonville’s (50-49) 5-0 loss against Worcester on Saturday. Cannarella is slashing .375/.464/.667 (9x24) since being promoted to Triple-A. 

No. 10 prospect LF Brandon Compton homered in the bottom of the sixth inning in Double-A Pensacola’s (14-11) 2-0 win over Columbus on Saturday. Compton has 10 home runs since being promoted on June 30. 

No. 24 prospect CF Dillon Head extended his team lead in hits (63) and stolen bases (32) during High-A Beloit’s (19-10) 1-0 win over Quad City on Saturday. 

No. 14 prospect LF Luis Cova drove in a run and collected a pair of stolen bases during Single-A Jupiter’s 5-0 rain-shortened win over Lakeland on Saturday. 

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