Sanoja and Hernández Power Marlins Past Cubs 10-3 to Avoid Sweep

Early Offense and Breakthrough Inning Set Tone

The Miami Marlins offense clicked on Sunday to avoid a three-game series sweep, delivering a decisive 10-3 victory over the Chicago Cubs. Miami took control in the second inning when Joe Mack hit an RBI groundout and Otto Lopez followed with a run-scoring single, quickly building a 2-0 cushion. Both Lopez and Jakob Marsee were instrumental throughout the day, collecting two hits apiece to keep the Marlins’ offense moving.

Miami starter Tyler Phillips (5-6) earned the win, turning in a durable performance. Phillips allowed three runs on five hits through five innings of work, giving the bullpen a comfortable platform once the Miami offense surged ahead.

Crow-Armstrong Reaches Historic 40-Homer Milestone

The highlight for Chicago came at the start of the fifth inning when slugger Pete Crow-Armstrong hit a game-tying solo shot off Phillips. The 403-foot drive was Crow-Armstrong’s 40th home run of the season, making him only the second player in the majors to hit the mark this year alongside Philadelphia’s Kyle Schwarber (42).

The power display put Crow-Armstrong in rare franchise history. He became the first left-handed Cubs hitter to reach 40 home runs in a single season since Hall of Famer Billy Williams hit 42 in 1970. Despite the personal milestone, Chicago was shorthanded in the outfield, as left fielder Ian Happ was a late scratch prior to first pitch due to left knee discomfort.

The 3-3 tie was short-lived as the Marlins erupted against Holmes (2-3) in the bottom of the fifth. Griffin Conine put Miami ahead for good when he was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. The rally continued as Owen Caissie drove in two runs with a single, followed immediately by back-to-back RBI singles from Hernández and Mack.

This Week in Baseball

Chicago Cubs travels to Milwaukee on Monday to face the Brewers. Left-hander Matthew Boyd (8-3, 4.05 ERA) gets the nod for Chicago against Milwaukee left-hander Robert Gasser (4-5, 4.57 ERA). Miami Marlins open a home series on Monday against the New York Mets. Right-hander Eury Pérez (7-10, 3.72 ERA) takes the mound for Miami against Mets right-hander Jonah Tong (1-1, 3.60 ERA).