Marlins outfield defense key in another walk-off win

[Kevin Barral]

Although Dane Myers clinched the victory with his bat, his defensive performance and that of Griffin Conine made the biggest difference for the Marlins.

MIAMI, FL—If there's one thing that is evident through the first three games of the 2025 season, it's that the Miami Marlins will push teams all the way till the end. That's exactly what happened on Saturday afternoon as the Marlins trailed the Pittsburgh Pirates four separate times, but ultimately won in walk-off fashion by a final score of 5-4.

Griffin Conine didn't even start for the Marlins—he entered to pinch hit in the bottom of the seventh inning. He would stay in the game, taking over in left field. In the top of the eighth, with the game tied at three, Pirates outfielder Jack Suwinski hit a 103.7 mph ball over his head which looked surely gone off the bat and would've put the Pirates ahead, but Conine leapt over the left field wall and robbed Suwinski.

"Knew it was going to be right at the fence," said Conine following the game. "I thought for sure it was going to be out of my reach, but it kind of hung up for me, got close to the fence and pretty much jumped as high as I could and extended as high as I could and just like snow cone, barely in the webbing and somehow hung on."

When you think of Griffin Conine, you think of a 6'1," 210-pound slugger, but many sleep on his defense. In a limited sample size last season, Conine was way above the league average in defensive runs saved and is doing it again this season.

"I think that's something I worked really hard on," said Conine of his defense. "Early on in my career, like, out of college, I was mostly offensive-driven. That was my focus, that's what I worked on the most. Always had a good arm, but as far as the importance of getting jumps and reading the outfield and being able to go back on the ball and all that stuff, it takes a lot of work, some BP, timing and all that stuff, so it's cool when it shows up in games like this."

Conine wasn't the only Marlins outfielder who took runs off the scoreboard. Dane Myers threw Tommy Pham out at home in the top of the 12th to keep the game at four apiece. Myers recorded another outfield assist way back in the first inning. Through three games, the Marlins have three outfield assists, two coming from Myers and one from Conine in Friday's loss.

"I think we're just taking pride in doing the little things right," said Myers. "Usually, you don't see it pay off right away, but we focused on it in camp and it's cool to see results that early."

In the bottom of the 12th, with the bases loaded, Myers walked it off against Tim Mayza to give the Marlins their second win of the season and complete a 3-for-6 day for himself at the plate.

"Feels good. That's a game of baseball," said Myers. "Through the ups and downs, you just gotta stay ready for whatever. Like I said, I'm proud of myself for being mentally ready to handle whatever."

Otto Lopez continued to contribute across all aspects of the game. He was in the middle of the relay during Myers' first assist, had a 3-for-5 night with one RBI and stole a base. Overall in this series, Lopez has gone 5-for-11 with one home run, four RBI and only one strikeout.

"As we got into the middle part of spring training, Otto really started to elevate the ball," said Marlins manager Clayton McCullough. "Not really like a home run hitter, but the line drives, the quality of contact really seem to turn a corner, and we've seen that thus far."

In his season debut, Valente Bellozo gave the Marlins 4 ⅓ innings of work, allowing one run off of four hits, walking two and striking out four. The lone run that Bellozo surrendered came in the bottom of the first inning on a Jack Suwinski RBI double. After that, the Marlins starter shut out the Pirates offense.

Bellozo, who added a kick-change to his arsenal this offseason, featured it 12 times on Saturday, striking out Ji Hwan Bae swinging in the top of the third inning.

Following the game, Daniel Álvarez of El Extrabase reported that the Marlins have optioned Bellozo to Triple-A Jacksonville. This comes after the Marlins used seven arms (including Bellozo). A corresponding roster move will be announced prior to Sunday's game.

With the win, the Marlins move to 2-1 on the season and will look to take their first series of 2025. Max Meyer will make his highly anticipated 2025 debut against former Marlin Andrew Heaney. The Marlins will also induct Jeff Conine into the team's inaugural Hall of Fame class. The Conine ceremony will begin at 1:00 pm.

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[MarlinzDude86]

Great win, but they need to keep Wagaman OUT of that cleanup role. Myers or Stowers needs to be the mainstay. Edwards, Lopez, Myers, Stowers would be my ideal order (first four) in the lineup. Bride and Wagaman/Mervis have to be at 8 and 9 for the time being.

[MarlinsMisfit80]

I whole heartedly agree Wagaman needs to stay on the bench and also what was womith Fortes being rmtaken out of the game the way he's been raking! I'm not going to get negative though, this team has been a joy to watch even just for these first few games i cant wait to see once we get some of guys off the IR like Norby & Sanchez! This team is giving me flashbacks of some of the Rays teams from over the years we played.. Just staying within striking distance, good pitching, smart solid defense and just that blue collar work effort. Now lets see a couple long balls thrown intonthe mix!!

[One Regend]

Cool win, but something has been disturbing me about these games.

The Marlins have been letting the Pirates run wild on them on the basepaths.

I don't know if this is the product of the noodly-armed catching defense, or if it's because the Marlins pitchers have been conditioned by their coaching staff to not bother holding their baserunners, but it's so weird seeing guys who aren't burners (see Joey Bart) run uncontested on the basepaths. This essentially means that every time there's a baserunner at first base, they are already in scoring position. This will bloat their LOB which is shockingly low in this three game sample.

This kind of run prevention isn't sustainable. They're going to crumble to a real Major League team, not the walking breathing mediocrity that is the Pittsburgh Pirates.

[1993 fan from start]

6 hours ago, One Regend said:

Cool win, but something has been disturbing me about these games.

The Marlins have been letting the Pirates run wild on them on the basepaths.

I don't know if this is the product of the noodly-armed catching defense, or if it's because the Marlins pitchers have been conditioned by their coaching staff to not bother holding their baserunners, but it's so weird seeing guys who aren't burners (see Joey Bart) run uncontested on the basepaths. This essentially means that every time there's a baserunner at first base, they are already in scoring position. This will bloat their LOB which is shockingly low in this three game sample.

This kind of run prevention isn't sustainable. They're going to crumble to a real Major League team, not the walking breathing mediocrity that is the Pittsburgh Pirates.

it not the pitchers 100 percent  they only have three trow over . as i understand it. it more second baseman and catcher problem .  only true fix would be changing catcher more ( who can trow better to 2b)  and train second baseman to tagout better . insted of ss doing it. just my opion .   but seen it also.

[1993 fan from start]

Dane Myers  video was nont worth watching . like it was shot from a blimp.

When you think of Griffin Conine, you think of a 6'1," 210-pound slugger, but many sleep on his defense.   im not  i remember a lot of plays Griffin Conine made from RF. i am happy seeing marlins  outfeild  throwing to the cut of man more.   letting the cuteoff man hit the target and the timing of it.     and  so far marlins have shown the improtents of long reliver  .    so far smarter hitting also. 

[BMK3]

Very enjoyable four games.  May not be the dumpster fire I expected.  Baseball is still the world’s greatest game.

[THOMAS JOSEPH]

Only four games in, yet the opening series brings smiles and hope. A young, hustling team can overachieve, growing together as a unit with their coaches. Players are aware of the universal low expectations which is ample fuel for that overachievement. Now, let's ambush the Mets.

PS - Dane Myers is in Miami to stay, so let's get him a proper baseball number! 

[Ely Sussman]

On 3/30/2025 at 4:59 AM, One Regend said:

I don't know if this is the product of the noodly-armed catching defense, or if it's because the Marlins pitchers have been conditioned by their coaching staff to not bother holding their baserunners, but it's so weird seeing guys who aren't burners (see Joey Bart) run uncontested on the basepaths. This essentially means that every time there's a baserunner at first base, they are already in scoring position. This will bloat their LOB which is shockingly low in this three game sample.

It has looked like a combo of both. Majority of the Pirates steals were uncontested because of neglectful pitchers. There were two attempts I remember when Fortes was to blame for failing to execute the throw (one was short of the bag and the other way too far to the first base side).

Good job by Fortes on Sunday, though. Got a standard caught stealing and threw out another guy that didn't count as a CS only because it was a potential wild pitch.