Marlins Beat Cubs 3-2, Delay Chicago’s Playoff Clinch for Second Straight Night

Marlins Rally Late to Beat Cubs

The Miami Marlins once again kept the Chicago Cubs from celebrating a postseason berth, rallying for a 3-2 victory Wednesday night behind a home run from Kyle Stowers and a strong finish from the bullpen. The Cubs needed a win or an Arizona Diamondbacks loss at Colorado to clinch a National League wild-card spot. Instead, Chicago remained on the outside looking in after Arizona defeated the Rockies 5-3.

Stowers Breaks Scoreless Tie

The game remained scoreless until the sixth inning, when Stowers delivered the game’s first big blow. The Marlins outfielder launched a two-run homer off Chicago starter Kevin Gausman, giving Miami a 2-0 lead and recording his 21st home run of the season. Gausman finished his outing with seven strikeouts while allowing two runs on six hits and a walk over 5 2/3 innings.

Chicago answered in the bottom of the sixth. Dansby Swanson came through with a broken-bat single into left field, driving in two runs to tie the game at 2-2. Miami regained the lead in the seventh when Joe Mack grounded out to bring home Agustín Ramírez with the go-ahead run. The Marlins then turned to their bullpen to protect the advantage.

Marlins Bullpen Closes Out Victory

Cade Gibson, the second of four Miami relievers, worked the seventh inning and struck out two batters to earn the victory and improve to 6-2. The Marlins retired the final nine Chicago batters of the game, shutting down the Cubs’ offense over the final three innings.

Sandy Alcantara handled the ninth inning and recorded his second save of the season, preserving the 3-2 victory for Miami. Ryan Gusto started for the Marlins and allowed six hits and two walks while striking out five over 5 1/3 innings. Ryan Rolison suffered the loss for Chicago and fell to 9-2.

Cubs Still Await Playoff Berth

The loss prevented Chicago from clinching a playoff spot for the second consecutive night and left the Cubs tied with the Philadelphia Phillies at 87-71 for the second of three NL wild-card positions.

Chicago remains one game behind the San Diego Padres with four games remaining in the regular season. The Padres defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-1, while the Phillies lost 4-1 at home to the NL Central champion Milwaukee Brewers. As a result, none of the Cubs, Phillies or Padres had officially secured a postseason berth entering Thursday.

Pete Crow-Armstrong also missed an opportunity to make history. The Cubs outfielder needed one stolen base to become the seventh player to join MLB’s 40-homer, 40-steal club, but he went 0-for-3 with a walk and remained at 45 home runs and 39 stolen bases.

Marlins Look to Finish Strong

Miami has now won two straight games after dropping three consecutive games in San Diego. The Marlins will conclude their series against the Cubs on Thursday afternoon. Chicago had not announced its starting pitcher, while Miami is scheduled to send right-hander Tyler Phillips to the mound. Phillips enters with a 5-6 record and a 3.45 ERA as the Marlins look to finish the series with another victory and further disrupt the Cubs’ push toward the postseason.