In a dramatic back-and-forth game on Monday night, the Miami Marlins pulled off an 8-7 victory over the Chicago Cubs, with Jesús Sánchez playing the hero role. Sánchez delivered a leadoff home run and a game-winning two-run triple in the ninth inning, finishing the game with three hits and four RBI to cap an incredible comeback for the Marlins.
Miami’s offense started early with Sánchez hitting the first leadoff homer of his career in the bottom of the first inning. His 409-foot blast to right-center field gave the Marlins a 1-0 lead. Rookie catcher Agustín Ramírez followed suit with a solo shot of his own in the same inning, putting Miami ahead 2-0 and setting the stage for an exciting game.
However, the Cubs quickly responded, erasing the Marlins’ lead in the top of the fourth inning. Miguel Amaya’s three-run home run off Marlins starter Edward Cabrera turned a 2-0 deficit into a 3-2 Cubs lead. Cabrera, who had struck out seven and allowed five hits, settled in to complete five innings of work, giving up three earned runs.
The Marlins regained the lead in the fifth inning, thanks to a four-run outburst. With two outs, Derek Hill doubled on an 0-2 count, followed by a walk to Javier Sanoja. Sánchez came up big again, smashing a ball past first baseman Michael Busch and into the right-field corner, driving in both runners to give the Marlins a 4-3 lead. Otto López also contributed with a run-scoring single, as the Marlins went up 6-3.
But the Cubs were not done. In the sixth inning, Chicago took a 7-6 lead with a four-run rally against Marlins reliever Jesús Tinoco. After Matt Shaw, recalled from Triple-A earlier in the day, hit an RBI double to tie the game, Moisés Ballesteros added a run-scoring single, and Amaya capped the rally with a two-run double. Tinoco’s struggles ended a stretch of 16 consecutive scoreless innings by Marlins relievers.
Despite giving up the lead, the Marlins’ bullpen settled down. Valente Bellozo (1-2) was stellar, throwing three scoreless innings of relief to keep Miami in the game. Bellozo earned the win after retiring the Cubs’ final three batters in the ninth.
With two outs in the bottom of the ninth and the Marlins down to their final strike, it looked like the Cubs might escape with a victory. But Derek Hill doubled, and Sanoja walked to put two runners on. Sánchez then stepped up and delivered the game-winning hit, sending a hard smash past Busch and into the right-field corner, allowing both runners to score and giving the Marlins their sixth walk-off win of the season.
Sánchez’s dramatic triple was the cherry on top of an unforgettable night for the Marlins, who had squandered two leads but never gave up. The Cubs threatened again in the ninth, as Seiya Suzuki walked and Dansby Swanson singled with two outs, but Bellozo was able to retire Nico Hoerner on a flyout to center to end the game.
For the Cubs, Amaya’s five RBIs, including the three-run homer and two-run double, were the bright spots. Cubs starter Ben Brown struggled, allowing six runs and seven hits while striking out seven in 4 2/3 innings. The Cubs’ bullpen couldn’t hold the lead, and reliever Daniel Palencia (0-1) was charged with the loss.
The Marlins will look to build on this thrilling victory as they face the Cubs again on Tuesday. Cubs RHP Jameson Taillon (2-3, 4.53 ERA) will take the mound against Marlins LHP Ryan Weathers (1-0, 1.80).
