Miami, Florida – The teal jerseys were not enough, as the Miami Marlins fell to the San Diego Padres 5-3, setting a new single-season franchise record. Despite an early three-run lead and a respectable outing from starting pitcher Janson Junk, what fans feared most came to pass in the eighth. Trailing 3-1, Manny Machado mashed a two-run homer to tie it, followed shortly by Jackson Merrill’s solo shot, both off reliever Lake Bachar. Luis Campusano added to Miami’s woes with an RBI single, capping off the five-hit, four-run rally. Junk was an out short of completing five innings, allowing one run on seven hits, fanning six without issuing a walk.
Manny Machado connects for a game-tying homer! pic.twitter.com/n9TQsQQpwj
— MLB (@MLB) July 26, 2026
With the loss, the Marlins are now 52-54, three out of the wild-card with 56 games remaining. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Phillies (56-49) will play the New York Yankees tonight before traveling south to loanDepot Park.
Lack of finishing
Miami struck first after Liam Hicks and Griffin Conine drew back-to-back walks to start the second inning. Hicks managed to steal third and then wheeled home on the errant throw to put the home team up 1-0. Graham Pauley added to the early lead with an RBI hit. The Fighting Fish kept up the production courtesy of Kyle Stowers, who hammered his 13th home run of the season towards the left-field upper deck, making it 3-0.
Gotta keep it going https://t.co/cw7lt1HBsH
— Gabriel Garcia (@Gabewritesports) July 26, 2026
San Diego attempted to mount a comeback in the fourth. With runners at second and third, Junk turned away the Padres by striking out Campusano, keeping the Friars scoreless. They eventually ended the shutout during the fifth. Machado smacked a line drive to the left just past Pauley’s glove for the run-inducing double. Miami responded with a pitching change, switching out Junk for Michael Petersen. His outing ended up being very brief, as he faced one batter due to getting hit with a line drive on the right forearm, prompting the immediate deployment of Cade Gibson. Fortunately, Petersen’s X-rays were negative, and his diagnosis was a right forearm contusion. The Marlins, who have been struggling to score runs (2.45 per game during the skid heading into today), went completely silent at the plate from the fourth frame onwards, recording two hits.
La Bomba! https://t.co/IQhboKAho9
— Gabriel Garcia (@Gabewritesports) July 26, 2026
Impressions
Gotta feel for him, they've been unable to finish the job and the frustration is palpable.#FightinFish pic.twitter.com/zifQiMmUIp
— Gabriel Garcia (@Gabewritesports) July 26, 2026
Words cannot properly describe this turn of events. Unbelievable will have to suffice. This team went from playoff contender and a potential buyer at the deadline to a morale-crushing trainwreck in the span of 16 days. That means getting swept four consecutive times. Stowers’ eyes at the post-game presser said it all. Barring a few miracles this upcoming week, the team has all but guaranteed it will be sellers on July 31st. Considering they remain in the postseason race, it’s a wild notion fans would’ve accepted at the start of the season. Whatever hope (if any) the faithful may have is wilting before our eyes. Let’s see what the next five days bring.
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