Miami’s Second Inning Rally the Difference in 6-3 Win Over Orioles

Miami, Florida- In only his fourth start this season, Kyle Tyler faced one of baseball’s best teams this year, the Baltimore Orioles. They are entering this three-game series against the Miami Marlins with a 60-39 record, the best record in the American League, and the second-best record in major league baseball.

With the help of clutch defensive plays and timely hits, the Marlins earned a 6-3 win over Baltimore. Miami entered today’s series with a lopsided record, 30 games under .500 (35-65). They aren’t playing for much as we near the trade deadline, but seeing them battle against the league’s best is a great sign.

1 week away from the trade deadline and a few names have been floating around the #Marlins as to who will be dealt. Playoff contending teams are in need of bullpen relief and Miami has a couple of arms that could be on the market. Who do you think will be traded? @LemonCityLive pic.twitter.com/b5soeUBsQX

— Alex “Milo” Aguirre (@aguirrethecap33) July 23, 2024

Early Lead and Holding On

The Orioles struck first in the top of the first to take a 1-0 lead thanks to Jordan Westburg‘s RBI single. The Marlins responded after Tyler escaped a first and third jam in the top of the second without allowing a run. Jesus Sanchez led off the bottom of the second with a 429-foot blast to right field, leaving his bat at a blistering 115 mph. It was the hardest-hit ball for Miami this season.

Jesús Sánchez wallops one 114.7 MPH.

Out in a flash ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/Ycv1WtJIUV

— MLB (@MLB) July 23, 2024

Otto Lopez followed Sanchez’s homer with a single to left field and advanced to second after Xavier Edwards drew a walk. With runners on first and second, Nick Gordon singled up the middle to plate Lopez and give Miami a 2-1 lead. Miami’s rally didn’t end there. Ali Sanchez advanced Edwards and Gordon into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt and flipped the lineup over to Jazz Chisholm Jr.

Jazz hustled right out of the batter’s box and stretched a single into a double with a hit to right center field, bringing in Edwards and Gordon and extending Miami’s lead to 4-1. Baltimore escaped further damage, but that rally was the key difference in tonight’s showdown.

Play of The Game

The Orioles chipped away at Miami’s three-run lead by scoring two in the top of the third but could have tied the game if it wasn’t for Jazz’s defense in center field. With two outs and the tying run at first, Ryan Mountcastle singled to Jazz, and he threw out Colton Cowser, trying to advance to third base.

If Jazz doesn’t throw a strike at Jake Burger, Baltimore threatens to tie the game with runners on first and third base. Instead, the Marlins escape another jam with their lead intact, 4-3.

Jazz uncorks an 85 mph throw to throw Cowser out at third.

Miami's lead trimmed to just one, though. pic.twitter.com/XEAF9lCd9u

— Isaac Azout (@IsaacAzout) July 23, 2024

Miami extended their lead to 6-3 in the bottom of the third, recording productive outs to bring in two runs. The Marlins loaded the bases with no outs on three consecutive singles by Josh Bell, Jesus Sanchez, and Otto Lopez. Xavier Edwards brought Bell in with a sac fly to center field and Nick Gordon grounded out to first base to bring in Sanchez.

Neither team scored after the third inning, but that was all the offense Miami needed to win today’s ballgame, and their pitching staff took over the rest of the way.

Jazz Chisholm Jr.'s hustle double:

Went home to second in 7.83 seconds — tied for 47th on a double this season in #MLB, fastest by any #Marlins player on a double this season

30 ft/sec sprint speed (30 is considered elite) pic.twitter.com/cQjxHayREy

— Christina De Nicola (@CDeNicola13) July 23, 2024

Almost Perfect

Kyle Tyler worked his first 1-2-3 inning in the top of the fourth and came out for the fifth, looking to be in line for his first win as a Marlin. Tyler retired the first two batters in the fifth but gave up a single to Ryan O’Hearn. Marlins manager Skip Schumaker saw enough out of the 27-year-old right-hander sitting at 94 pitches and went to the team’s strength, their bullpen.

Tyler was not in line for the win, but he gutted through 4 2/3 innings, giving up three runs, walking two, and striking out five. He kept Miami in the game and handed things over to one of the hottest bullpens in baseball.

Kyle Tyler talks about his outing on Tuesday. 🎙 pic.twitter.com/hcCyVZGGxX

— Bally Sports Florida: Marlins (@BallyMarlins) July 24, 2024

Bryan Hoeing was the first arm out of the bullpen, and he only needed one pitch to record the final out of the fifth. That was the first of 12 batters retired in a row by Miami’s bullpen—an incredible display of dominance and efficiency by their relievers.

Andrew Nardi recorded two strikeouts in the sixth inning. A.J. Puk worked two flawless innings of relief, striking out three. Since returning to the bullpen, Puk has found his footing in the setup/ mid-relief role. The southpaw has now gone 16 2/3 innings without allowing an earned run.

A.J. Puk has struck out more than half of all batters he has faced in July pic.twitter.com/uWYnSNNzxB

— Fish On First (@FishOnFirst) July 24, 2024

Miami’s All-Star closer, Tanner Scott, came in for the ninth and kept the perfect bullpen streak alive, striking out the first two batters. Unfortunately, that ended after hitting Austin Hays with a pitch, but Scott locked down the save after getting Ramon Urias to ground out. Miami’s closer now has 17 saves this season.

Keep Fighting

This was a hard-fought all-around win for Miami as pitching, hitting, and defense all stepped up. Since Miami is practically out of the postseason picture, it is still great to see the team battle and go toe-to-toe with the top teams in baseball. The Marlins look to win their first series of the second half of the season with a victory tomorrow. Edward Cabrera is on the mound for the Fish, while the Orioles starter will be announced later. The first pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m.

Ballgame. Marlins take the series opener 6-3 against the American League's best Orioles. Tanner Scott gets his 17th save of the season, and Kyle Tyler battled through 4 2/3 innings while Miami's bullpen was lights out, retiring 12 batters in a row. @LemonCityLive pic.twitter.com/etp6uBmpvz

— Alex “Milo” Aguirre (@aguirrethecap33) July 24, 2024