Miami’s late-inning offense continued its recent surge Tuesday night, as the Miami Marlins erupted for four runs in the eighth inning to defeat the Arizona Diamondbacks 10-6 at loanDepot park. The victory marked Miami’s sixth win in its last seven games and showcased both timely hitting and another strong performance from one of the club’s emerging young stars.
At the center of the offensive explosion was rookie catcher Joe Mack, who delivered a historic night at the plate. Mack went 4-for-4, scored three runs, and etched his name into the franchise record book by becoming the youngest catcher in Marlins history to record four hits in a game at 22 years and 164 days old.
Mack’s impressive evening was just one piece of a balanced attack that saw the Marlins pile up extra-base hits throughout the contest.
Miami jumped on Arizona early, taking a 3-1 lead through the first three innings. Xavier Edwards opened the scoring with an RBI single in the first inning before Connor Norby added an RBI double in the second. Edwards later contributed a sacrifice fly in the third to keep the pressure on Diamondbacks starter Zac Gallen.
The Marlins appeared to seize control in the sixth inning when Liam Hicks and Kyle Stowers each delivered two-run doubles, extending Miami’s lead to 6-2.
But Arizona refused to go away.
The Diamondbacks chipped away at the deficit with home runs from Gabriel Moreno and Corbin Carroll, while Ketel Marte continued his standout night with an RBI double in the seventh inning. Arizona completed its comeback in the eighth when Marte lined a two-run single to tie the game. Moments later, Carroll grounded out to first base, allowing Tommy Troy to score and knot the contest at 6-6.
Just when momentum appeared to be swinging toward the visitors, Miami answered immediately.
In the bottom of the eighth, Otto Lopez delivered the decisive blow with a tiebreaking RBI single. The hit ignited a four-hit rally that quickly turned the game in Miami’s favor. Javier Sanoja followed with a two-run single, and Esteury Ruiz added another RBI knock as the Marlins scored four times in the inning to reclaim control at 10-6.
The offensive outburst continued a season-long trend for Miami. The Marlins became just the second team in Major League Baseball, joining the Houston Astros, to record six or more doubles in at least four separate games this season.
While the offense stole the spotlight, Max Meyer provided another dependable outing on the mound. The right-hander worked 5 1/3 innings, allowing two runs on seven hits while striking out five.
Meyer also made franchise history. The 26-year-old improved his remarkable start to the season by extending his streak to 14 consecutive starts without a loss, setting a Marlins record and posting the longest such run in the majors since Tony Gonsolin’s 17-game streak for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2022.
Arizona’s Zac Gallen battled through 5 1/3 innings, surrendering four runs on nine hits while striking out three. Reliever Brandyn Garcia suffered his first loss of the season after being charged with four runs during Miami’s decisive eighth-inning rally.
Pete Fairbanks closed the door for the Marlins, firing a scoreless ninth inning while allowing just one hit and striking out two batters.
Marte led Arizona’s offense with three RBIs, while Carroll and Moreno each went deep in a losing effort.
The series continues Wednesday night with Arizona scheduled to send right-hander Ryne Nelson (2-4, 4.60 ERA) to the mound. Miami will counter with right-hander Ryan Gusto (0-1, 10.80 ERA) as the Marlins look to keep their recent hot streak rolling and secure another series victory.
