Freefalling Marlins lose 11th straight, tie franchise record

[Alex Krutchik]

MIAMI, Fla. — If the Miami Marlins are in freefall, they may have reached terminal velocity on Saturday.

Miami’s 7-2 loss to the San Diego Padres was their 11th consecutive loss, tying a franchise record set in 1998 and matched in 2011.

Perhaps the most frustrating part of this spiral is that it came directly on the heels of one of the better streaks the team had gone on since their 2023 postseason run. Just prior to the skid beginning on July 10, the Marlins swept the Seattle Mariners and Athletics, and capped off a 20-6 June to go 10 games over .500 and hold a wild-card spot. 

“I think every game is kind of its own chapter in a story,” Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said. “We had some chances early the last couple of days—first inning with some guys on, and you're not able to cash in. I think for the most part, we just haven't done enough within these games to find a way to get on top and to win.”

Each of the previous losses during this streak came by margins of three runs or fewer, so this was the most lopsided contest of them all.

Through the first 10 games of the streak, the Marlins’ .273 on-base percentage was the lowest in the majors. They also had the second-lowest batting average (.214) and wRC+ (70). Saturday’s loss did not help those numbers. The Marlins mustered five hits, all of which were singles.

Even when they got on, the Marlins made mistakes on the basepaths that abbreviated what could’ve been a couple of rallies. Down 2-0 in the third inning, Otto Lopez hit a sacrifice fly to right field with runners at the corners. Esteury Ruiz scored from third thanks to the throw hitting the backstop. Marsee, standing at first base, hesitated on his run to second. After the ball had already ricocheted to pitcher Randy Vásquez, Marsee darted for the bag, and was thrown out. The Marlins scored one run in an inning that should’ve still had some juice to it.

“He reads a lower trajectory coming in from (right fielder Gavin Sheets) there and hold,” McCullough said. “And then it gets by the catcher. Give Vásquez credit for backing it up. (Marsee tried) taking a shot to get into scoring position and he got thrown out.”

Lopez himself got thrown out in the eighth inning when he tried going first to third on a Kyle Stowers single. Ruiz scored from third to make it 6-2, but Lopez’s overaggressiveness put Miami in a two-out situation with just a runner at first, instead of what could’ve been one out with two runners on.

“It's hard to like fault guys for trying to make plays,” McCullough said. “The number of outs you got left, and somewhat weighing the risk versus reward. Again, guy makes a really good baseball play and gets you. Chalk it up to that, and just continue to discuss those things, and all become better from it.”

 

Eury Pérez, for his part, continued his season turnaround. He put together a quality start, allowing three runs over seven innings with just one walk. The 23-year-old has a 1.75 ERA in six outings since returning from the injured list, which ranks third among qualified NL starters during that span.

Staring down the possibility of suffering back-to-back-to-back-to-back series sweeps and setting a new franchise record for consecutive losses, the Marlins host the Padres again on Sunday afternoon. Janson Junk is their probable starter.

View full article

[1993 fan from start]

Can't blame conner or Owens for it.

[Shawn]

I’m completely lost at this point of what this front office is trying to do. I know Garrett had a rough start last time out but even putting him in the bullpen will help at this point. We carrying three catchers, if going to do that rather have Gus bat off the bench. Why alderman not been called up beyond me and why marsee in the lineup everyday confusing. I could go on and on is Leo better than norby or pauley? After 11 losses you figure they might try something different.