The red-hot Miami Marlins continued their summer surge Tuesday night, extending their winning streak to eight games—just one shy of the franchise record—with a 2-0 victory over the Minnesota Twins at loanDepot park.
Kyle Stowers provided the early spark with his 14th home run of the season, and right-hander Edward Cabrera turned in a dominant performance on the mound, striking out six and allowing just two hits and one walk over seven innings. Cabrera (3-2) delivered the longest start by a Marlins pitcher this season and reached a career milestone in the process, fanning Byron Buxton in the third inning for his 400th career strikeout. He became the third-fastest pitcher in Marlins history to reach that mark.
Stowers’ homer came with a bit of drama. Initially awarded first base after appearing to be hit by a pitch in the second inning, the Twins successfully challenged the call. Stowers made the most of his second chance by launching a solo shot to give Miami a 1-0 lead.
Minnesota starter Joe Ryan (8-4) was nearly as sharp as Cabrera, matching him with seven strong innings of five-hit ball while allowing just the one earned run. But the Twins’ bats remained cold, suffering their second consecutive shutout and seventh blanking of the season.
The Marlins tacked on an insurance run in the eighth inning. Jesús Sánchez roped a deep drive to center that Byron Buxton tracked to the wall. Though Buxton made a leaping attempt, the ball stayed in play and Sánchez sped into third base with a triple. After an intentional walk to Otto Lopez, Nick Fortes lined a single down the left-field line to score Sánchez and extend the lead to 2-0.
Miami’s bullpen took it from there. Anthony Bender worked a perfect eighth inning, and Ronny Henriquez struck out the first two batters in the ninth before closing out the game for his fourth save. The shutout was the Marlins’ fifth of the season.
With the win, Miami (43-42) continues to climb back into contention and now sits just one game over .500 for the first time since mid-April.
The series continues Wednesday night, with Miami sending right-hander Janson Junk (2-0, 3.73 ERA) to the mound for his first career appearance against the Twins. Minnesota will counter with right-hander Simeon Woods Richardson (3-4, 4.63 ERA), looking to avoid a third straight loss.
The Marlins’ franchise record for consecutive wins is nine, set in 2008. Cabrera improved to 3-0 in his last four starts. The Twins have scored just four runs in their last three games.
