Marlins Bullpen Collapses in Late Innings Against Mets
· Yahoo Sports
MIAMI, Fla. – The Miami Marlins looked to stay in the win column following a critical series sweep over the Philadelphia Phillies. Another division rival matchup was set, this time against the New York Mets at Citi Field. The Marlins hadn’t found much success on the road – 21-31 entering Thursday night’s series opener.
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Despite all the ups and downs, the “Fighting Fish” keep rallying. However, it wouldn’t be enough, as the Marlins fell 4-2 to the Mets.
The game started slightly over an hour late due to a weather delay and the Marlins were unable to strike the scoreboard early. After Nolan McLean walked a couple of batters, left fielder Herbierto Hernandez struck out – leaving them both stranded. The Marlins’ defense spent little time on the field to close the first inning as Eury Perez struck out a couple of batters swinging, including shortstop Francis Lindor, followed by a flyout by third baseman Bo Bichette.
The 23-year-old righty struck out right fielder Carson Benge in the bottom of the second to earn strikeout No. 109 on the season. Perez surpassed a previous career high of 108 total strikeouts in 2023, when he was a major league rookie.
After three scoreless innings, first baseman Kyle Stowers slugged a go-ahead solo homer to right field. McLean threw a changeup in the middle of the zone. Stowers’ 15th home run on the season reached 368 feet on a 112.8 exit velocity.
Perez had a dominant run – not giving up a hit – until second baseman Marcus Semien singled to left field. He got through the gap off a four-seamer fastball pitch thrown at 99.3 miles per hour. However, the Mets left him stranded in scoring position.
After a couple of strikeouts, Lindor singled to right field and catcher Francisco Alvarez scored the tying run. The Mets’ offense began to gain momentum as Bichette singled to left field, which allowed Lindor to advance to third. Despite having two outs, center fielder Luis Roberts Jr. reached first base off a Pauley fielding error, and Lindor brought the go-ahead run home.
The “Fighting Fish” has been more than a slogan, but an identity within the clubhouse. Center fielder Jakob Marsee slugged a solo homer to right field and tied the game. McLean pitched a four-seam fastball at the top of the strike zone, which had him pulled off the mound. Marsee knocked the baseball out 385 feet at a 99.7 exit velocity.
After six innings, Manager Clayton McCullough called righty Lake Bachar to the mound. Perez’s final stat line: six strikeouts, two walks, three hits and one earned run allowed.
Despite two outs in the bottom of the eighth, the Mets rallied and delivered three consecutive hits off Michael Peterson, including a two-run batted-in single from Robert Jr. to retake the lead.
The Marlins were unable to make a late comeback. Bullpen inconsistencies resurfaced, along with a crucial fielding error. The Marlins will face the Mets on Friday at 7:10 p.m. Eastern Time.