Fun and not-so-fun facts mark final Marlins home game of 2024

It took them until their 81st and final home game of the season (and 156th game overall) to do so, but the Miami Marlins would not be deprived of a 4-homer game in 2024. Entering play Sunday, MLB teams were 142-11 in games in which they hit 4 of more home runs. The Marlins joined the minority as the Braves prevailed, 5-4.

With the loss, the Marlins (57-99) are on the precipice of the fourth 100-loss season in franchise history. Additionally, their 51 losses at home in 2024 are tied with 2019 for the most in a single Marlins season. The loss also marked just the second time in franchise history that the Marlins hit four home runs while only scoring four runs, with one prior game coming in a 4-3 victory over the Reds on August 29 of that 2019 season.

Across the Diamond

Other than a first-inning Ozzie Albies blast, Darren McCaughan held strong over his four innings of work, striking out five. Miami would tie the score at 1-1 when Jonah Bride (1-3, HR, BB) blasted his eighth homer of the season. 

Jake Burger launched his 28th home run of the year in the bottom of the fourth to close in on potential back-to-back 30-home run seasons. Like McCaughan, Grant Holmes failed to make it through five, exiting without having recorded an out in the bottom of the fifth with Miami having a second and third, no-outs scenario they failed to capitalize on. The team would later fail to take advantage of a bases-loaded, no-out opportunity in the bottom of the seventh, emblematic for a team whose collective .685 OPS with no outs ranks 25th in the Majors.

After Atlanta plated their fourth run of the day via a Gio Urshela home run, the Marlins had their moment when, for the seventh time this year, they clubbed back-to-back long balls in the bottom of the sixth, with this latest effort being co-authored by Connor Norby (1-5, HR, 3 K's) and Jesús Sánchez.

Notable regarding Sánchez's home run was the fact that it came off a lefty and one-time Marlins prospect Dylan Lee. Among hitters to take at least 90 plate appearances against left-handed pitchers in a season, Sánchez's .152 batting average is the third-lowest mark in franchise history. 

In keeping with the bad luck that has seemed to plague him all season, Declan Cronin—who recently had a streak of 281 consecutive batters faced without allowing a home run snapped—allowed the eventual go-ahead run on a 75 mph Jorge Soler single that caromed off the pitcher's mound. Cronin has posted a bewildering 4.41 ERA/2.52 FIP split in his 69 ⅓ innings pitched.

Looking Ahead

With just six games to go, the Marlins will commence their penultimate series of the season on Tuesday and continue playing spoiler when they open up a three-game set against the Minnesota Twins. Ryan Weathers (3-6, 3.94 ERA) will make his second start since returning from a finger injury that cost him three-plus months. Bailey Ober (12-7, 3.84 ERA) counters him for Minnesota in what will be his first start against Miami.

First pitch from Target Field is slated for 7:40 EST.