Otto Lopez had two hits and drove in a run, and the Miami Marlins handed Justin Verlander yet another frustrating night with a 4-2 win over the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday. The victory marked Miami’s third in its last four games, while Verlander’s season-long struggles continued with a career-worst 12-start winless streak.
Lopez was part of a balanced offensive effort for the Marlins, who saw Xavier Edwards, Connor Norby, and Jesús Sánchez also collect two hits apiece. Eric Wagaman chipped in with an RBI double, and the Marlins capitalized on timely hits to take control in the later innings.
Verlander, the 42-year-old three-time Cy Young Award winner, returned from the paternity list Monday but remained stuck in a rough stretch that has defined his season. Making his 538th career start — tied for 34th all-time — Verlander allowed three runs on five hits over five innings, striking out five and walking one. He dropped to 0-5, and his 12-start winless streak is now the longest of his illustrious career — and the longest to start a season in Giants franchise history.
Miami struck first in the second inning when Wagaman doubled in Kyle Stowers and later scored on Norby’s two-out single to make it 2-0. The Giants drew even in the fifth on Christian Koss’ second home run of the season — a two-run blast off Marlins starter Cal Quantrill.
Quantrill, winless himself since May 18, pitched 4 2/3 innings, giving up two runs on four hits. He exited before Miami regained the lead in the seventh, when Edwards delivered an RBI double that skipped just past a diving Casey Schmitt at third base.
Reliever Cade Gibson (2-3) earned the win, retiring four straight batters in middle relief. Calvin Faucher recorded his eighth save by inducing a game-ending double play from Schmitt in the ninth with the tying run at the plate.
San Francisco had a golden scoring chance in the fifth, but Miami executed a crisp relay to cut down Rafael Devers at home plate after Heliot Ramos’ double to left. Devers, attempting to score from first, was tagged out 7-6-2 on a textbook defensive play.
Despite Verlander’s historic resume, his search for a win continues as the Giants fall further back in the playoff chase. Meanwhile, the Marlins continue to show signs of life in the second half with a mix of young contributors and clutch performances.
