Nick Fortes Delivers Walk-Off After Garrett’s Solid Outing

Miami, FL – Trailing 1-0 entering their final at-bats, Miami Marlins catcher Nick Fortes sealed the team’s 29th win of the season in walk-off fashion with an RBI single off of Josh Hader in the bottom of the ninth inning. The comeback win for Miami ties up the three-game series against the San Diego Padres after dropping the first game 9-4.

Prior to the ninth-inning rally, it was a frustrating night for the Marlins offensively. Miami mustered only three hits through the first eight innings. The same can be said about the Padres recording two hits on the night which meant that both starters were locked in.

Walkoff Miami!! Fortes delivers the game winning rbi single down the right field line to bring in Segura and the Marlins rally in their final at bats to win 2-1. Series is now tied one game apiece with Jesus Luzardo on the mound tomorrow. First pitch is at 1:10 @LemonCityLive pic.twitter.com/wEqIZR7LLB

— Alex “Milo” Aguirre (@aguirrethecap33) June 1, 2023

Southpaw Duel

Braxton Garrett got the starting nod for the Marlins while the Padres responded with Cy Young Award winner, Blake Snell. On paper, it seemed like a mismatch but fans were in store for a classic pitcher’s duel. Both starters looked sharp early on and exchanged zeroes through the first two innings until San Diego struck first.

In the top of the third, Padres’ catcher Gary Sanchez blasted a solo home run off of Garrett to give them an early 1-0 lead. Garrett bounced back from the home run and would only give up one base hit for the remainder of his outing.

GARY SÁNCHEZ HOMER pic.twitter.com/eVo5sQnW69

— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) May 31, 2023

The Marlins were having their own trouble figuring out Snell. He gave up only one base hit through the first three innings but Miami had opportunities to tie the game. In the top of the fourth, Luis Arraez led off the inning with a single.  Jorge Soler followed that up with a walk. With runners on first and second, Yuli Gurriel lined out to right field and then Jon Berti grounded into an inning-ending double play.

The double play would be an unfortunate trend for Miami in today’s game and has been a major issue offensively this season. Miami grounded into three double plays today and six already this series. They lead the MLB grounding into 62 double plays.

Blake Snell's 6th and 7th Ks. pic.twitter.com/AJUC8MVQkA

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) June 1, 2023

In the top of the fifth, Jean Segura led off the frame with a single to right field but any chance of a rally died out after Nick Fortes grounded into a 5-4-3 double play.

Brazo is Back

Snell would go on to pitch six shutout innings after working around two walks in the final inning of his start. The lefty kept the Marlins’ offense in check with seven strikeouts and gave up only three hits. Garrett matched him pitch for pitch throwing 5 1/3 innings with seven strikeouts and one walk. Now it was up to Miami’s bullpen to keep it a 1-0 game.

Braxton Garrett spoke postgame about making a few "adjustments" to his changeup entering this game

Those adjustments created 4 extra inches of vertical break on the pitch compared to his season average pic.twitter.com/KLbzObhWFp

— Fish On First (@FishOnFirst) June 1, 2023

Huascar Brazoban was the first pitcher out of Miami’s bullpen in the top of the sixth. He inherited a runner on first and Fernando Tatis Jr. was up to bat. Brazoban only needed two pitches to get out of the inning as Tatis Jr. grounded into a 5-4-3 double play. Brazoban continued his relief appearance and was spectacular. He was a huge boost for the bullpen pitching 2 2/3 shutout innings of relief on just 25 pitches.

At least Huascar Brazoban was sharp tonight

Got 5 outs on 11 pitches! pic.twitter.com/4yAsVjV4O9

— Fish On First (@FishOnFirst) June 1, 2023

Left-hander Steven Okert was the next arm out of Miami’s pen in the top of the ninth. He kept it a one-run game by striking out the side in order.

The Nick Fortes Comeback

In the bottom of the ninth, the Marlins were tasked with facing one of the best closers in the game, Josh Hader. Gurriel led off the inning drawing a walk. Joey Wendle laid down a sacrifice bunt to move him over to second base. The small ball tactic worked to perfection. Segura followed up the bunt with an RBI single to left field and advanced to second on the throw home.

With the score now 1-1, Segura caught San Diego off guard by stealing third base. Now, Miami had the winning run 90 feet away with one out. On a 1-1 count, Nick Fortes delivered a walk-off single and tied the series with one swing.

Nick Fortes closes out May in walk-off fashion!

The Miami Marlins will enter June 29-27, and in 2nd place in the NL East. pic.twitter.com/4OxUHjEsfD

— Louis Addeo-Weiss (@addeo_louis00) June 1, 2023

Entering the month of June, the Marlins are second in the NL East with a 29-27 record with have an opportunity to take two out of three against a talented San Diego roster.

The rubber match tomorrow features another solid matchup on the mound. Lefty Jesus Luzardo starts tomorrow for Miami while San Diego goes with Joe Musgrove. The first pitch is at 1:10 p.m.