Bad luck bites Meyer, snaps record-setting undefeated streak

[Louis Addeo-Weiss]

Not all good things last forever. Pitching in the cavernous Coors Field, Max Meyer put his perfect record on the line against the forces of altitude and dry air, ultimately suffering a loss for the first time in 2026.

The former third overall draft pick had been off to a 9-0 start to the season. His 17 starts without a loss were the most to begin a season in franchise history.

The Coors effect infected Meyer early, when Mickey Moniak, for the second time in as many nights, sent a ball over the center field wall to give the Rockies an early 1-0 lead. Falling a mere single short of the cycle, Moniak has been Colorado's best hitter this season, sporting a 135 wRC+. 

As was the case in their 10-run and 14-run barrages in the series' first two games, Miami would take the lead on Javier Sanoja's two-run triple.

Kyle Freeland, the owner of a 3.80 ERA in 10 career appearances against the Fish, would work five otherwise carefree innings, striking out seven in the Rockies' victory.

Carrying that 2-1 lead into the bottom of the fifth, Meyer would fall victim to some tough luck when an error by the aforementioned Sanoja misplayed a ground ball off the bat of Kyle Karros. Two batters later, it was Moniak's two-run triple that gave the Rockies a lead they would never relinquish.

The salt in the wound would come in short order, as Hunter Goodman, the team's presumed representative at this year's All-Star game, launched his 27th home run of the season. Among catchers to start at least 150 games behind the plate since the start of last season, only Cal Raleigh (55) has more home runs in games caught than Goodman's 50. Over his last six games played, Goodman has hit six home runs.

On the whole, Meyer would power through six innings, allowing five runs, though only being charged with one in collecting his first loss of the season. Despite the defeat, Meyer lowered his season ERA to 2.53. 

"I thought Max was good tonight...It's the conditions here that take a toll on your body, though," noted manager Clayton McCullough.

The night would not be without its moments of elation for Miami, though, as Joe Mack, pinch-hitting in the top of the seventh, sent a ball over the head of center fielder Jake McCarthy in what would turn out to be an inside-the-park home run. The long ball would represent the first of the inside-the-park variety since Yuli Gurriel in 2023.

Colorado pitchers retired nine consecutive Marlins after that to seal the 6-3 win.

 

Looking Ahead

The Marlins will conclude the four-game set and their West Coast road trip in Thursday's series finale. Michael Lorenzen (3-9, 6.83 ERA) will take the ball for Colorado. While the first half of the season has been unkind to him, Lorenzen has a track record of success against Miami, posting a 2.62 ERA - his lowest mark against any NL opponent - across 18 games pitched (7 GS).

First pitch from Coors Field is scheduled for 3:10 EST/1:10 MDT.

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[1993 fan from start]

Javier Sanoja we seen that before also. why hitting 5th gets me. team always struggles when he hits above 9th .offense struggles  to get going .  when he does .   and someone must like Javier Sanoja behind the camera .  looked like cam was on him more then anyone even more then Mays

go Joe Mack  inside the park . Great never slowing down anytime . unless 3b coach said so.

[THOMAS JOSEPH]

Couple of thoughts.

The Sanoja error was a rough decision by the OS, but certainly Meyer will take the unearned runs.

The inside-the-parker was simply awesome! We got us a long-term backstop, y'all. 

I didn't look at the umpire scoring. Didn't have to.  I saw a dozen pitches that impacted the count/outcome. The ABS is horsesh*t. I watch lots of games. Announcers, especially firmer players, continuously note how counts impact everything. We have the answer in place, yet allow dozens inaccurate calls every single game.

With 53-54% of challenges overturned, in presumably the most important situations, we already see trouble. I personally am fine with the human umpires - no ABS would be fine. But it's here, abd will not be rescinded, yet its limitations are on display every game.

Must admit I like the decision to keep three catchers on the roster right now. I watched the Shrimp before the Marlins game. Norby might be back soon anyway. Pauley's demotion is unfortunate because his stroke looked much better.

Speaking of Jax, Garrett had an excellent outing last night. Ninety pitches, three hits, no runs over eight. ERA is 1.55. We certainly will see a disposition of his status very soon. Call up or trade piece himself. 

Lastly, gliding into the ASG with high-forties in wins must be considered extraordinary. Just 30 days age, the situation was looking bleak. 

 

 

[2qbn]

6 hours ago, THOMAS JOSEPH said:

Couple of thoughts.

The Sanoja error was a rough decision by the OS, but certainly Meyer will take the unearned runs.

The inside-the-parker was simply awesome! We got us a long-term backstop, y'all. 

I didn't look at the umpire scoring. Didn't have to.  I saw a dozen pitches that impacted the count/outcome. The ABS is horsesh*t. I watch lots of games. Announcers, especially firmer players, continuously note how counts impact everything. We have the answer in place, yet allow dozens inaccurate calls every single game.

With 53-54% of challenges overturned, in presumably the most important situations, we already see trouble. I personally am fine with the human umpires - no ABS would be fine. But it's here, abd will not be rescinded, yet its limitations are on display every game.

Must admit I like the decision to keep three catchers on the roster right now. I watched the Shrimp before the Marlins game. Norby might be back soon anyway. Pauley's demotion is unfortunate because his stroke looked much better.

Speaking of Jax, Garrett had an excellent outing last night. Ninety pitches, three hits, no runs over eight. ERA is 1.55. We certainly will see a disposition of his status very soon. Call up or trade piece himself. 

Lastly, gliding into the ASG with high-forties in wins must be considered extraordinary. Just 30 days age, the situation was looking bleak. 

 

 

Preach on ABS! I've been saying it since they started testing it. Use it for everything why do we have a biased, blind bat behind the plate? Ridiculous. 

[2qbn]

We knew if the thin air was going to give (Cassie longest HR), then it would take (Max's first L). 

[THOMAS JOSEPH]

15 hours ago, 2qbn said:

Preach on ABS! I've been saying it since they started testing it. Use it for everything why do we have a biased, blind bat behind the plate? Ridiculous. 

I realize the misses are by inches and even tenths of inches, but the close pitches are the key to calling a game. If we ask AI to remove swinging strikes, check swing calls, foul balls, and the obvious balls or strikes, we're down to something like 20 percent. It's like the proverbial election swing states. That's where games are shaped. So, it's not 250 pitches a game that require attention, but more like 40-50. But there's only two challenges per team? As I mentioned, taking the whole thing away would be fine. However, we know there is no regression now. So, why are we acting as if this flawed hybrid is still great? Cheers.

[Hippyboi]

Sanoja shouldn't have gotten an error, but Edwards on(prescribed off day) makes that play all day long and probably turns a dp.