Marlins snap losing streak in walk-off fashion

MIAMI, FL - "I think we all just want to shake hands after a game, not turnaround and walk back in there," is what Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said before the series opener against the Philadelphia Phillies. On Monday night, McCullough and his team weren't exactly able to shake hands, but for a good reason.

In the bottom of the ninth inning down two runs, the Marlins were able to crawl back and walk-off the Phillies, defeating them by a final score of 8-7. It marked the Marlins first win since July 9th when they caped off a series sweep of the Seattle Mariners and it snapped a 12-game losing streak, the worst in franchise history.

"It's no lie that everyone in the building's been been grinding hard now for a couple of weeks and frustrated with things," McCullough said following the game. "It feels great to get a win and I think in the fashion that we did. It'd be hard to ever question this group's toughness and willingness to compete in situations where it had been easy to were we were out in front, but have the game flip like it did and then you're facing one of the elite closers in baseball in the ninth, we put together great at-bats. It just speaks to the group of guys we have in that clubhouse that they don't ever stop playing till it's over."

All odds were stacked against the Marlins going into the game. They had to face their division rivals with Zack Wheeler on the mound. To make matters worse, Bryce Harper took Marlins starter Tyler Phillips deep for a two-run shot in the top of the first inning, already putting the Marlins in a hole that they would have to climb out of.

The Marlins not only tied the game right away in the bottom of the frame, but took a lead in the bottom of the second inning thanks to Griffin Conine's eighth home run of the season and RBIs from both Jakob Marsee and Otto Lopez. Momentum started shifting towards the Marlins as they built up a 5-2 lead.

The Marlins certainly made Wheeler work. The former All-Star was limited to just three innings, allowing five runs on six hits (two home runs) while striking out six. In the bottom of the second inning, he almost allowed a cycle between Conine's homer, a double from Marsee, and a Lopez triple. Wheeler did allow that elusive single in the next inning during a scoreless third, but was done for the night.

"We took advantage of it," McCullough said. "Not as sharp maybe tonight, especially command-wise. I think we just put together again good at-bats...We've seen our guys do that this year against some really terrific starting pitchers, so good approach there. I think they were ready to go after what they were looking for. Able to lay off enough pitches out of the zone to stay in good counts. So good start."

It marked the second time that the Marlins have scored that many runs off the Phillies starter. On top of that, Monday's start is tied for the shortest against the Marlins in his career. The last time he went three innings in a start against Miami was back in 2022, where he allowed seven earned runs.

Fast forward to the top of the sixth inning, the Marlins decided to deploy lefty Cade Gibson, who surrendered an RBI single to Alec Bohm. With runners on, McCullough turned to Tyler Zuber, who allowed a ground rule RBI double to Realmuto and an RBI single to Justin Crawford, scoring two more runs and giving the Phillies a 6-5 lead. They added on further in the eighth with a sac fly, giving them a 7-5 lead.

It was the bottom of the ninth inning and with Phillies closer Johan Duran taking the mound, it all seemed like it was over. Going into his appearance, Duran had a 1.29 ERA and 1.05 FIP along with 24 saves against only one blown save. This was also coming off the Marlins having to face San Diego Padres closer Mason Miller in the previous series, who has been better than Duran.

The first half Miami Marlins had long at-bats and made opposing pitchers work. That's the team that we saw in the ninth inning.

Jakob Marsee and Otto Lopez knocked in back-to-back base hits and Kyle Stowers was hit by a pitch, loading the bases for Heriberto Hernandez. After hitting his 15th home run of the season in the first inning, Hernandez struck out in three straight at-bats. But with a full count, Hernandez got to Duran's 101.5 mph fastball for a two-run RBI single, tying the game, 7-7. An Xavier Edwards bunt single loaded the bases again and Liam Hicks grounded into a force out, with Harper throwing out pinch runner Esteury Ruiz at home.

That set the stage for Griffin Conine.

It's been quite the eventful season for Conine, who wasn't expected to make the Opening Day roster, but made the team after late injuries in spring training to both Kyle Stowers and Esteury Ruiz. After just 11 games, Conine landed on the IL himself due to a torn hamstring. That kept him out until June 21. Up until Monday's series opener, Conine was slashing .256/.351/.488/.839 with five home runs and 12 RBI. Coming out of the All-Star break and throughout this losing streak, Conine has been one of the Marlins' bright spots, having hit .240/.321/.520/.841 with two home runs and four RBI in that stretch.

Conine fell behind 1-2 to the Phillies flamethrower, but on the fourth pitch of the at-bat, his swing ended the misery of all Marlins fans, walking it off and snapping the 12-game losing streak.

"After the stretch we've been on, it felt like a September-type game with the playoffs looming," Conine said. "Obviously, that wasn't what it was, but I think just for what we needed right now, that was big. Hats off to everyone that came up in the ninth inning, because I think with one of the best closers in baseball on the mound, down two after not scoring since the second, that's a pretty daunting place to be. Everyone just taking care of their at-bats was really fun to watch and be a part of."

In the month of July, Conine is slashing .250/.338/.533/.871 with five home runs and eight RBI. Monday's walk-off against the Phillies was the first of his career. A combination of finally being healthy and consistent playing time are a big factor in his July success.

"It's first time I've eclipsed 100 at-bats in a year, which sounds crazy to say," Conine said. "I feel like I knew it was always in there, but it was just getting a consistent opportunity and tweaking some things. Always trying to cut down on swing-and-miss, but I know it's going to be in there."

With the win, the Marlins became the first team since the 2002 Devil Rays to snap a 12+ game losing streak after trailing by multiple runs entering the 9th inning. The Marlins do remain a game below .500, at 53-54, but are now two games out of the final National League Wild Card spot.

With Sandy Alcantara on the mound, the Marlins will go for their first series win since that sweep of the Mariners back in early July. First pitch is at 6:40 pm EST.