Baseball is often a game of inches, but on Thursday night at loanDepot park, it became a game of one costly miscue. The Miami Marlins beat the Orioles 4-3 in a dramatic series finale, using a ninth-inning throwing error to snap a four-game losing streak and avoid a damaging home sweep at the hands of Baltimore.
A Ninth-Inning Gift for Miami
The game appeared to be headed for extra innings after a back-and-forth battle, but the Miami Marlins found a spark with two outs in the bottom of the ninth. Joe Mack, who was recently called up from the minor leagues on Monday, ignited the rally with a sharp double off Andrew Kittredge (0-1). With the winning run in scoring position, Javier Sanoja stepped to the plate and sent a routine grounder toward third base.
What should have been the final out of the inning turned into a nightmare for Orioles rookie third baseman Coby Mayo. Mayo bobbled the ball initially and then uncorked a wild throw to first base that sailed past Pete Alonso. The error allowed Mack to race home from second base, sliding across the plate to seal the walk-off victory and send the Miami dugout into a frenzy.
Hicks and Norby Provide Early Firepower
Before the late-inning drama, the Marlins established an early lead thanks to their most consistent power threat. Liam Hicks gave Miami their first lead of the entire three-game series in the bottom of the first inning. Hicks launched a 386-foot home run to right-center field off Orioles starter Cade Povich, a two-run blast that also scored Connor Norby.
The home run was the ninth of the season for Hicks, who continues to be a revelation for the Marlins' offense. With that swing, Hicks increased his season total to a Major League-leading 34 RBIs. The Marlins added to their lead in the third inning when Norby drove in Sanoja with an RBI single, pushing the score to 3-1 and providing a cushion for starter Max Meyer.
Pitching Duel and Injury Concerns
Max Meyer delivered a solid performance on the mound for Miami, working five innings and allowing just two runs on six hits. Meyer struck out five and walked two, keeping a potent Baltimore lineup largely in check. However, the story on the mound for the Orioles was more concerning. Cade Povich was forced to exit the game after just three innings due to left forearm discomfort. Before his departure, Povich allowed three runs on three hits.
The Baltimore bullpen, led by Yennier Cano and Grant Wolfram, kept the Orioles within striking distance. Meanwhile, the Marlins relied on a committee of relievers. Andrew Nardi and Michael Petersen each threw scoreless innings, but Josh Ekness eventually surrendered the lead in the eighth.
Alonso Ties it Late as Streaks Continue
The Orioles clawed their way back into the game behind Gunnar Henderson and Tyler O'Neill, who both recorded RBI singles earlier in the contest. In the top of the eighth, Pete Alonso delivered the equalizing blow. Alonso lined a single to center field to drive in Taylor Ward, tying the game at 3-3.
The hit extended Alonso’s season-high hitting streak to eight games. He finished the series in Miami with a staggering stat line, including four hits, six RBIs, and a home run. On the Marlins' side, shortstop Otto Lopez continued his own hot stretch, recording two hits to extend his hitting streak to 10 games. Lopez has now hit safely in 32 of Miami's first 38 games this season.
The Significance of the Win
For the Marlins, this victory was about more than just one game. By finding a way to win, they avoided a sweep and regained some momentum before continuing their 10-game homestand. Calvin Faucher (3-2) earned the win after pitching a scoreless ninth inning, setting the stage for the walk-off error.
The Orioles, meanwhile, saw their two-game winning streak come to a halt. Despite the loss, they remain a formidable force in the American League, though the injury to Povich will be a major storyline to watch in the coming days.
What's Next?
- Baltimore Orioles: Return home to host the Oakland Athletics on Friday night. Kyle Bradish (1-4, 5.03 ERA) is scheduled to start.
- Miami Marlins: Continue their homestand against the Washington Nationals. Left-hander Robby Snelling is set to make his highly anticipated MLB debut.
Sources & Original Reporting
