The Miami Marlins were in the win column Saturday afternoon with one of their most comfortable victories this season. The Marlins dominated the Oakland A’s, 12-1, and clinched the series win. 

Rookie right-handed pitcher Eury Perez got the start and win for the Marlins. Perez had another impressive outing in his young MLB career. He pitched five innings allowing four hits, no runs, one walk, and five strikeouts. 

The Marlins’ offense had a big game teeing off against Luis Medina and the A’s pitching staff. Leadoff hitter Luis Arraez stayed hot at the plate. The league-leading hitter went 5-for-5 for the first time in his career. He also drove in a career-high five RBIs. Arraez hit for the first cycle in Marlins history earlier in the year, but this individual performance may have been just as special.

Shortstop Joey Wendle also had a huge game at the dish. Wendle went 3-for-4 with two doubles and scored three times (he hadn’t had more than one hit in any previous game this season). Outfielder Jonathan Davis went 1-for-3 with a two-run double and Jesus Sanchez went 1-for-3 with two walks. 

Protecting the lead for the Perez, left-handed relief pitcher Steven Okert came in for the sixth and was lights out as well against the Oakland offense. Okert struck out all three batters he faced in the sixth in his one inning of work. 

Right-handed reliever George Soriano came out of the bullpen for the Fish in the top of the seventh. Soriano completed the game from there, picking up a rare three-inning save.

At 20 years and 49 days old, Eury Perez today became the youngest MLB pitcher to win at least 3 of his first 5 career starts since Philadelphia's Rick Wise (18-342) from June 21 – Aug. 20, 1964 (credit: @EliasSports)

— Marlins Communications (@MarlinsComms) June 3, 2023

What’s next?

The Miami Marlins will look to complete the sweep versus the Oakland A’s in the series finale on Sunday. Reigning NL Cy Young Award pitcher Sandy Alcantara will be on the mound for the Marlins. Alcantara hasn’t looked like himself this season, but will look to rebound against the A’s offense.

The A’s will have right-handed pitcher Paul Blackburn on the bump as they look to avoid another sweep. Blackburn pitched well in his first start of the season versus the Braves—he threw four innings allowing four hits, one run, two walks, and six strikeouts.

The first pitch for the series finale is at 1:40 pm EST on Bally Sports Florida. 

Featured image by Danis Sosa/Fish On First