Joe Mack’s towering solo blast and a high-stakes escape from a bases-loaded jam propelled the Miami Marlins to a crucial road victory, narrowing the National League Wild Card race.
Catcher Joe Mack homered, second baseman Xavier Edwards delivered a ninth-inning run batted in, and the Miami Marlins shut out the New York Mets in a 2-0 win on Sunday.
Despite the lack of road success (24-32), the Marlins took over at Citi Field and clinched the four-game series. The team advances to three games over .500 (58-55) and one game behind the Philadelphia Phillies for the final National League Wild Card spot.
It was righty Robert Stock’s first time returning to a major league mound since June 8, 2025. He started strong, striking out a couple of batters until Mack broke the game’s hitless streak with a single. Designated hitter Liam Hicks followed with a base hit, but first baseman Kyle Stowers left them stranded after striking out.
Starting the bottom of the third inning, second baseman Marcus Semien singled to right field, then Alcantara walked designated hitter Jorge Polanco. However, the Marlins’ defense quickly put three outs on the board, leaving them stranded.
The Mets were looking to attack first after Stock’s 11-pitch stint to start the fourth. Alcantara walked right fielder Carson Benge, who advanced to second on a disengagement violation. However, the Marlins’ defense prevented him from reaching further with three outs to close the inning scoreless.
Similar to every game in this series, the Marlins landed the first punch. Mack slugged a go-ahead solo homer to center field. It’s the standout rookie’s 11th of the season. A couple of flyouts from third baseman Javier Sanoja and center fielder Esteury Ruiz kept the Marlins from building the lead.
The Mets began to apply pressure with the bases loaded and no outs in the seventh.
Manager Clayton McCullough pulled Alcantara and called righty Michael Peterson from the bullpen. He struck out Polanco and catcher Francisco Alvarez, then left fielder A.J. Ewing grounded out – the Marlins escaped the jam.
In the ninth, shortstop Otto Lopez singled and stole second. The first-time All-Star scored the Marlins another run for insurance off a single by Edwards.
Alcantara’s final stat line: five innings pitched, four hits and two walks allowed, no earned runs, and five strikeouts. The 30-year-old was credited with his 12th win of the season. In back-to-back games, the Marlins’ bullpen didn’t give up an extra run. Pete Fairbanks earned his 17th save of the season.
"We just went to work," Edwards told Stephen Storm of the Marlins Radio Network postgame. "I don't think the games are the prettiest, but sometimes you have to win dirty."
The Marlins will rest on Monday – trade deadline day – ahead of a three-game series against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park.
