The Miami Marlins combine for 12 runs in the eighth and ninth inning in back-to-back wins.
Left fielder Herbierto Hernandez and third baseman Javier Sanoja slugged a homer in the eighth and ninth innings, Eury Perez had a dominant outing on the mound, and the Miami Marlins clinched the series over the Cincinnati Reds with a 7-1 win on Sunday.
The Marlins (64-61) advane to three games over .500, clinch the series, and 2.5 games behind the San Diego Padres for the last Wild Card spot in the National League.
The game was a back-and-forth shutout until the “Fighting Fish” carved out another late rally.
Reliever Tejay Antone threw three consecutive balls to Hernandez before an 84.1-mile sweeper came towards the end of the strike zone, which was sent 359 feet deep to left field. It was the 26-year-old’s 18th home run (leading the team) of the season. Hernandez’s slugging became contagious; the momentum shifted to the rest of the lineup, even with two outs on the board.
Designated hitter Agustin Ramirez reached first base safely off a throwing error by shortstop Elly De La Cruz. Second baseman Xavier Edwards advanced him to second off a single. Antone walked Sanoja and loaded the bases.
Griffin Conine stepped into the batter’s box as a pinch hitter and drew a walk to drive Ramiez home, giving the Marlins a 2-0 lead. The bases were still loaded, Antone was replaced by Ron Marinaccio, and right fielder Esteury Ruiz stepped into the batter’s box. After a full 3-2 count, he struck out looking, as a 93.4-mile four-seam fastball hit the bottom of the strike zone.
The Marlins left three base-runners stranded in the eighth.
Manager Clayton McCullough called Michael Peterson from the bullpen to start the bottom half of the inning. He first threw a 97-mile four-seam fastball, which pinch hitter Tyler Sephenson slugged a solo homer 390 feet deep to center field. The Marlins’ defense quickly put three outs on the board to prevent any further damage.
In the ninth inning, with two outs on the board, another rally was made.
Shortstop Otto Lopez (walked) and Hernandez (hit by pitch) got free bases, then Ramirez drove them in, knocking an 82.8-mile sweeper to right field over Noelvi Marte’s glove. He and Edwards were in scoring position, then Sanoja slugged a three-run homer to put the game out of reach.
"The guys are taking good, high-quality at-bats," Lopez told Steve Storm of Marlins Radio Network postgame. "We're feelilng pretty good in how we've been playing. Let the game talk."
In six innings, Perez allowed six hits, walked and struck out five batters each, but no earned runs. The 23-year-old has gone back-to-back starts with clean production. Outside of Peterson's surrounded homer, the bullpen was sharp, and gave the Reds little opportunities to find new life.
The Marlins will start a three-game series against the Philadelphia Philles on Monday.
