The Miami Marlins secured a thrilling 8-6 victory over the Detroit Tigers, thanks to a combination of timely home runs and substantial contributions from their key relievers. Garrett Cooper and Jean Segura each hit homers, while newly acquired pitchers Jorge López and David Robertson played pivotal roles in securing the win for the Marlins on Sunday.
Jorge López, who now holds a 5-2 record, delivered the final two crucial outs in the seventh inning, setting the stage for David Robertson to close the game with a perfect ninth inning in his Marlins debut, earning him his 16th save of the season.
Following the game, Robertson expressed his intention to continue performing at a high level, stating, I’m trying to continue doing what I’ve been doing all season long. The 36-year-old reliever was acquired from the New York Mets just a few days prior to the game.
Offensively, Garrett Hampson was a standout performer for the Marlins, contributing with a double, two singles, and two RBIs. Avisáil GarcÃa also made an impact, tripling and singling during the game. However, Miami’s Luis Arraez, who currently leads the major leagues with a .377 batting average, struggled in this matchup, going 0-for-3 with a walk.
In an emotionally significant moment, Tigers star slugger Miguel Cabrera, who started his career with the Marlins, received a walk and doubled in his final appearance at Miami. The 40-year-old Cabrera, who will retire at the end of the season, expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming support he received throughout the series from the Marlins fans, describing it as one of the top-five moments of his career.
The Marlins found themselves trailing early on, as the Tigers raced to a 4-0 lead, courtesy of Cabrera’s two-run double and run-scoring singles from Spencer Torkelson and Javier Báez in the third inning. However, Miami quickly erased the deficit with a four-run fifth inning against Tigers starter Tarik Skubal. Yuli Gurriel’s RBI single and Nick Fortes’ double brought in two runs, while Hampson’s two-run double leveled the score.
The pivotal moment of the game came in the seventh inning when Garrett Cooper stepped up and unleashed a two-run home run off Tigers reliever Tyler Holton, propelling the Marlins to a 7-6 lead. Cooper’s 13th home run of the season showcased his ability to capitalize on a hanging curveball, ultimately securing the victory for his team. In the following inning, Jean Segura extended the Marlins’ lead with a solo home run.
This series win marks a significant moment for the Marlins, as it is their first since the All-Star break when they had an NL wild card-leading record of 53-39. After a rough start to the second half of the season, losing eight straight games, the Marlins have now managed to win four of their last six.
Marlins manager Skip Schumaker acknowledged the importance of the series win, stating, We needed to win that series. I never say ‘must-win,’ but heading into a big series against Philly and a 13-game stretch, this is a big homestand. Getting on track by winning the first series was important.
Next up, the Tigers will face the Pittsburgh Pirates on the road for a three-game series, while the Marlins will kick off a four-game home series against the Philadelphia Phillies, with Edward Cabrera taking the mound for Miami and Taijuan Walker starting for Philadelphia.
Former Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets was given the honor of throwing the ceremonial first pitch before the game. Busquets recently joined Inter Miami FC shortly after his former Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi signed with the MLS club.
The Marlins made a roster move by activating Avisáil GarcÃa from the injured list and sending outfielder Dane Myers to Triple-A Jacksonville. GarcÃa had been sidelined due to left back tightness since April 28.
In terms of injuries, Marlins outfielder and designated hitter Jorge Soler was given the day off. Soler, who leads the team in home runs with 24, is currently in a 12-game homerless slump, which includes 18 strikeouts.
In conclusion, the Miami Marlins showcased their resilience and offensive firepower in a thrilling victory over the Detroit Tigers. With timely home runs and crucial contributions from their newly acquired relievers, the Marlins managed to overcome an early deficit and secure the series win. This victory marks a crucial turning point for the Marlins as they aim to regain their earlier form and secure a spot in the playoffs.
