Joe Mack scores game winning run in wild walk-off win

[Kevin Barral]

 

MIAMI, FL - After the Marlins had trailed in the first inning of every game in the series against the Baltimore Orioles, the script was flipped, as the Marlins took the lead early, but after Baltimore tied it late in the game, it took a wild walk-off for the Marlins to defeat the Baltimore Orioles, 4-3, improving to 17-21 on the season.

"You never know what might get some things going, and I think certainly enough to have a tight game and one tonight where we get out ahead and to claw back into it, hang in there, they tied up," Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said. "Good for us to hang in there and win a close game here at home and salvage this series. Hope this is something that kind of can get us going a little bit."

 

 

 

In the top of the eighth inning, leading 3-2, McCullough turned to Fish On First No. 20 prospect Josh Ekness. It marked his first high-leverage moment in the big leagues, but failed to hold the lead, allowing an RBI single to none other than Pete Alonso, tying the game, 3-3. He kept the game tied, as Samuel Basallo grounded into a double play and Tyler O'Neil flew out to Heriberto Hernandez.

"Everyone was available," McCullough said. "I think (Josh Ekness) is a really good pitcher. It's big time stuff and he's had a couple of outings under his belt to this point. You can see Josh get put into a lot of various situations and scenarios. I just think that the time is going to come for him where I'm going to continue to ask him to maybe be in some of those spots, and proud of him for being able to wiggle out of that, at least keep it tied."

Although the Marlins had runners on second and third in the bottom of the eighth, the inning concluded after Hernandez popped out to Gunnar Henderson.

The Marlins went with Kyle Stowers to lead off the bottom of the ninth, pinch-hitting for Esteury Ruiz, but popped up on the second pitch of the at-bat. After Jakob Marsee struck out, Joe Mack, who entered the game in the top of the eighth inning, mainly for his defense as McCullough later noted, smacked a double into the right field corner. It marked his first career double.

With a runner on second and two outs, Javier Sanoja was up for the Marlins. He hit a grounder to third baseman Coby Mayo, who bobbled it while Mack was on the move to third, and after not attempting to tag Mack, Mayo made the throw to first, which was off and allowed Mack to score the winning run.

"I definitely have to work on my base running," Mack said postgame. "We're probably going to have some work on that tomorrow. Honestly, it was just kind of as soon as he swung the bat, I was going, and he kind bobbled it a little bit, so I ran past him and ducked in front of him. Just seeing that whole thing unfold, then running home, looking at Otto (Lopez) with this hands up and jaw open, it was really cool experience."

Through his first four big league games, Mack is 3-10 with an RBI. Behind the plate, Mack has looked comfortable and as McCullough said, he will be playing almost everyday.

"It's been awesome," Mack said. "The guys here have been so awesome in every single way. They've been just joyful to be around, very happy and just welcoming. It's a great group of guys, the staff's also phenomenal. It's just awesome to be around these guys. Truly a dream come true."

After Connor Norby, who was hitting second, worked a walk in his first at-bat, the stage was set for Liam Hicks to hit his team-leading ninth home run of the season. Hicks now leads all Major League Baseball with 34 RBI on the season. Following the first inning, the Marlins led, 2-0. In the bottom of the third inning, Norby drove in the Marlins third run of the game.

 

 

Meyer, who had the best start of his season against the Philadelphia Phillies in his last appearance, went five innings allowing two runs on six hits, two walks and struck out five. He threw 94 pitches, in which 55 landed for strikes.

The righty mixed his pitches well, throwing his slider and sweeper 29% of the time. The slider, generated seven whiffs, but only struck one out with the pitch. The sweeper on the other hand generated only three whiffs, but three of his five strikeouts came on that pitch.

"Just one of those outings that make it really tough on the pitcher," Meyer said. "Fell behind in some counts, lacked a little bit of my fastball location, that kind of made it hard. Other than that, yeah, just grind up and outing."

Fish On First's No. 2 prospect Robby Snelling will make his MLB debut on Friday in the series opener against the Washington Nationals. Joe Mack, who caught him in Triple-A, will start at catcher.

"I'm very excited," Mack said regarding Snelling. "He's been very dominant throughout the whole year in AAA, and last year as well. It's been really cool. He's a great guy as well, so, I'm really happy to see him get a shot and be the one to catch him. I think that's a good comfort for him as well. It's all coming together and I think he's earned it and deserves a shot."

First pitch between the Marlins and Nationals is set for 7:10 pm.

 

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