Miami Marlins Get Wild Win in Extras, Outlast Dodgers

Miami, Florida – In the end, all the Miami Marlins needed was a wild pitch and a throwing error to win in extras, outlasting the Dodgers 2-1 Tuesday night. The fish squandered several chances to push runs across including loading the bases twice, prevailing in a way nobody really imagined. At the bottom of the tenth inning, Miguel Rojas was at the plate looking for the game-winning hit. Starling Marte, meanwhile, prowled at second base looking to make his move.

It came in an unexpected way.

Blake Treinen threw the wild pitch sending Will Smith scrambling for the ball as Marte gunned it to third. Smith then made a bad throw to Justin Turner with the baseball bouncing away from him near the Marlins’ dugout. Turner’s high throw home went way over the catcher’s head as Tato slid in safely.

In an instant, the game was over. Wow, just wow.

How fast does a shooting star travel?

Asking for a friend. pic.twitter.com/OolM5xFg7Y

— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) July 7, 2021

Low Scoring Affair

It began as a pitchers’ duel with the relievers taking over making sure neither side got hot at the dish. For the Marlins’ bullpen, it was all hands on deck after Pablo López lasted four innings striking out eight. Furthermore, it remains absolutely amazing how the actions of the umpires last Friday continue to reverberate considering the relief corps’ constant high workload. López got the Marlins’ first hit of the game with a double in the third.

In the fourth inning right fielder Garrett Cooper committed a big error allowing Cody Bellinger to hustle all the way to third on a single. It was a routine play but the ball bounced past his glove, making it towards the wall.  LA jumped on the opportunity with Smith achieving an RBI hit putting the Dodgers on the board.

López ultimately found himself in a big pickle with the bases loaded but the righty got Mookie Betts swinging to escape the jam. Pache knuckled up and did what he does best.

Take a seat.

CC: @pablojoselopez pic.twitter.com/L6ZKbmDXEQ

— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) July 7, 2021

Miami tied it in the sixth. With one gone, Marte hit a sharp single to get on base, stealing second to move into scoring position. Jesús Aguilar followed up hitting a grounder past the shortstop Gavin Lux, allowing Marte to score on the play tying it 1-1.

Then came the drought.

Offensive Struggles

Rojas pounded a stand-up double placing two aboard in scoring position with two outs. Jesús Sánchez was intentionally walked, loading the bases for Monday night’s hero Jorge Alfaro. Unfortunately for the Marlins Alfaro couldn’t replicate yesterday’s magic, softly lining out to second baseman Chris Taylor. A golden opportunity turned sour.

Speaking of sour, Jazz Chisholm Jr was caught stealing second after legging out an infield single. Disagreeing, Don Mattingly issued a challenge. To the dismay of many, the call’s upheld. I saw the replay from different angles and let me tell ya, they blew it. Again.

Don Mattingly talks Marte, the bullpen and more after the Marlins walk it off in 10 innings against the Dodgers!@Marlins | #JuntosMiami pic.twitter.com/opdLjPY8sv

— Bally Sports Florida: Marlins (@BallyMarlins) July 7, 2021

Miami squandered a chance to take the lead in the eighth. Marte stole his 16th base of the season after getting painfully plunked in the back. However, the offense once more came away with nothing. Cooper whiffed chasing a high pitch, Aguilar popped out and Rojas frustratingly grounded out to end the inning.

AI YAI YAI.

A Wild Finish

Yimi García survived the ninth thanks to a timely 3-6-3 double play which really made the difference due to the Dodgers getting two more aboard. García retired Smith to escape unscathed. I personally enjoyed seeing him work out of the inning especially after what happened against the Braves on Sunday.

Another great opportunity presented itself in the ninth. Sánchez led off with a single, Alfaro walked. Jon Berti who was pinch-hitting tapped a slow roller that Turner could not come up with for an infield single. Jazzy and Marte both failed to drive in the winning run. For anyone wondering Miami went 2-for-14 with RISP stranding 10.

The Dodgers “helped” in extras, nullifying the need for a hit. Take a bow Marte, you were the player of the game.

It’s past our bedtime but we don’t care. #JuntosMiami pic.twitter.com/45Db2wbkEm

— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) July 7, 2021

Game Notes

Pablo López: 4 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 HBP, 8 K, 91 pitches 57 for strikes

Tony Gonsolin: 5.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K

Tonight’s game saw 14 pitchers used

Dodgers scored one run on nine hits committing one error

Marlins scored two runs on eight hits committing two errors

Rojas is the only Marlins player to have a multi-hit game

Photo | Marlins Twitter