Eury Pérez delivers his best start of 2026

MIAMI, FL — Going into Friday night’s matchup against the New York Mets, the Miami Marlins had lost three straight games to the Atlanta Braves. Their series opener against New York felt like a much-needed win, as Miami prevailed 2-1.

It's been no secret that Miami's phenom Eury Perez has struggled as of late. Over his last three starts going into Friday, Pérez had a 7.31 ERA and 6.60 FIP, allowing 13 runs on 12 hits (four home runs). He bounced back on Friday night, turning in his best start of the 2026 season, going 6 ⅓ innings pitched, allowing one run on two hits, no walks and struck out five. It marked the first time this season that Pérez had not allowed a free pass.

"It's been an uneven start to his season, and he just hung with it," Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said after the game. "Why we do this is that with talented guys like Eury, you just hang in there and keep coaching. He's still got a long way to go, and we like to be able to see this terrific outing. He's needed to get on a good run here, but tonight, he should feel great about it, because it goes back to the strike-throwing, being in the zone, and he got some great defense behind him by (Jakob) Marsee in center field."

Both hits that Pérez allowed were to superstar Juan Soto. In the top of the first inning, Soto unloaded on a Pérez fastball, drilling it 449 feet deep to the second deck in right center field. The final hit Pérez surrendered was in the top of the fourth inning.

"I didn’t want it to be a home run, but I also didn’t want it to be a walk," Pérez said through a translator. "I wanted to compete against him, make my best pitch there, and he had a good result from his side. After that, I decided to stay focused anyway, keep my head up and know that the game didn’t end there."

The biggest difference for Pérez was his four-seam fastball usage, which dropped to 38% compared to his usual 60-65%. He generated five whiffs with the four-seamer and recorded two strikeouts with the pitch. His next most-used offering was the sweeper (26%), which generated three whiffs and accounted for two more strikeouts, both swinging.

Pérez succeeded, but a lot of the credit should to go to Jakob Marsee's defense. On the second pitch of the game, Carson Benge hit a ball to straightaway center that would've been extra bases. Instead, Marsee made the leaping catch for the first out of the inning. It would've been a home run in 10 ballparks, including Citi Field. Benge's fly out also had an expected batting average of .540.

In the top of the sixth inning, with Benge up once again, he hit a ball 408 feet to straightaway center field, but Marsee made another incredible catch, robbing Benge for a second time.. That ball had an expected batting average of .850.

"“Especially the first one he made, flying into right-center and going up against the wall, that was a terrific play,” McCullough said. “The second one, hit to center, he tracked it back toward the wall, and going back there is not easy. You’re trying to navigate how much time you have left while keeping your eye on the ball. Where’s the wall at? Then timing the jump to make that play.”

Eventually, Miami was able to give Perez the lead on Friday. Esteury Ruiz may not blow you away with his bat, but it certainly came into play against New York. In the bottom of the second inning, he doubled off Tobias Myers and later stole third. Owen Caissie grounded out, which was more than enough for Ruiz to score and tie the game, 1-1.

The Mets only went with Myers for an inning and a third before going to Sean Manaea for 3 ⅔ innings. Ruiz hit a triple off Manaea in the bottom of the fourth inning and Owen Caissie drove him in on an RBI single to take a 2-1 lead.

"He certainly can impact the game and change it when he's on the bases," McCullough said of Ruiz. "I think the opponent knows how much they have to hold and pay attention to him."

Through his last three series', Owen Caissie is slashing .278/.350/.611/.961 with two home runs and three RBI. The at-bats are beginning to look more competitive and this stretch of games is certainly showing that.

For the sixth time this season, Pete Fairbanks notched a save, now four away from 100 in his career. Fairbanks struck out two, throwing 20 pitches in the process. The Marlins utilized Fairbanks in the series finale against the Atlanta Braves down by multiple runs, which makes it unlikely he'll be available on Saturday. 

"I hope we can play more games like this where we can get him out there into a rhythm and with some regularity," McCullough said. "I think you will see all the counting numbers start to go in his favor."

With the win, the Marlins improved to 23-29 on the season. They have a chance to take the series on Saturday with Max Meyer on the mound at 4:10 pm.