The youth movement in South Florida is starting to bear fruit, and Wednesday night was the perfect showcase. Behind a multi-hit performance from Leo Jiménez and a dynamic showing by Xavier Edwards, the Miami Marlins vs Minnesota Twins matchup ended in a commanding 9-5 victory for the Fish. The win evened the three-game series and highlighted a lineup that is beginning to find its identity through a blend of speed and emerging power.
Jiménez and Edwards Set the Pace
From the opening pitch, the Marlins' offense looked aggressive. Leo Jiménez was the spark plug for the attack, finishing the night with three hits and two runs scored. His ability to consistently find holes in the Twins' defense kept the pressure on Minnesota’s pitching staff throughout the evening. Joining him in the spotlight was Xavier Edwards, who continues to prove he is a cornerstone for this franchise. Edwards went 2-for-4 with a double and a triple, showing off his elite speed by scoring three times.
The duo’s performance was particularly impactful in the fourth inning, when Miami blew the game open. Edwards delivered an RBI double that chased Twins starter Simeon Woods Richardson from the game. By the time the dust settled in that frame, the Marlins had tacked on four runs, turning a competitive contest into a comfortable lead they would not relinquish.
Power at the Plate: Caissie and Hicks Shine
While the speed of Edwards and the consistency of Jiménez set the table, the Marlins' power hitters brought the runners home. Rookie outfielder Owen Caissie connected on a towering two-run home run in the second inning, his third of the season, to give Miami an early 4-1 cushion. Caissie’s power has been a bright spot for the Marlins as they continue to integrate young talent into the heart of the order.
Meanwhile, Liam Hicks continued his torrid pace to start the 2026 season. Hicks drove in three runs on the night, bringing his season total to an MLB-leading 38 RBIs. His ability to produce with runners in scoring position has transformed the Marlins' offense from a bottom-tier unit into a group capable of putting up crooked numbers against established starters. On the other side, the Twins did find some success at the plate, led by Byron Buxton, who launched two solo home runs, but Minnesota’s lack of consistent production with runners on base ultimately stalled their comeback efforts.
Miami Marlins vs Minnesota Twins: Pitching Breakdown
On the mound, Max Meyer earned the win, improving his record to 3-0. It wasn’t the cleanest outing for the right-hander, as he allowed four runs over 5.2 innings, but he managed to strike out nine batters to navigate through several high-leverage situations. Meyer’s ability to miss bats was crucial, especially after Buxton’s early homers threatened to swing the momentum back to the home crowd at Target Field.
The story was quite different for the Twins. Simeon Woods Richardson struggled from the jump, lasting only three-plus innings. He was tagged for eight runs (six earned) on seven hits and four walks. The loss drops Woods Richardson to 0-6 on the season and raises further questions about the back end of the Twins' rotation as his ERA ballooned to 7.71. Minnesota’s bullpen, led by Travis Adams, provided some length but couldn't completely silence a Marlins lineup that finished with 11 hits.
Injury Report: Snelling Hits the IL
Despite the victory, the Marlins faced some sobering news before the game. The team placed top pitching prospect Robby Snelling on the 15-day injured list with a sprained UCL in his left elbow. Snelling, who had just made a promising MLB debut, will be sidelined for at least two weeks as the medical staff evaluates the severity of the injury. To fill his spot, the Marlins are expected to activate Braxton Garrett to start Thursday’s series finale.
In a corresponding move, Miami activated veteran closer Pete Fairbanks from the injured list. Fairbanks had been out since late April with nerve irritation in his hand. His return provides a much-needed veteran presence to a bullpen that has been heavily taxed during this early-season stretch.
A Historic Milestone for Josh Bell
The game also featured a rare statistical anomaly involving Twins first baseman Josh Bell. In the fifth inning, Bell swiped second base, marking his first stolen base since September 27, 2018. The 978-game gap between steals is one of the longest in modern MLB history. While it was a lighthearted moment in a tough loss for Minnesota, it underscored the unpredictable nature of the game.
The Marlins and Twins will meet for the rubber match on Thursday afternoon. With the series tied at one game apiece, both clubs will look to their rotations to set the tone in what has become a surprisingly high-scoring series in Minneapolis.
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