The Miami Marlins got exactly the kind of offensive jolt they needed Saturday night, and Jakob Marsee was right at the center of it.
Miami beat the Cincinnati Reds 8-4 to even the three-game set, with Marsee turning in a perfect 4-for-4 night at the plate. He homered, drove in a run and scored twice, giving the Marlins the kind of middle-of-the-order production that had been missing over the last few nights.
Joe Mack was nearly just as important. He finished 3-for-5 with a run batted in and scored on his fourth-inning homer that tied the game at two. Between Marsee and Mack, the Marlins found the big swings and steady contact they needed to pull away.
Together, the two went 7-for-9 with two RBIs and three runs scored. For a club that has been searching for answers offensively, that kind of night made a huge difference for manager Clayton McCullough.
The Marlins now turn to Sunday’s rubber match against the Reds, with Eury Perez set to take the mound. Cincinnati will counter with Nick Lodolo.
Miami has been trying to find more consistent run production, and Saturday’s eight-run showing was a welcome sight. If Marsee, Mack and the rest of the lineup can keep it going, the Marlins believe they still have a shot to make noise in the National League Wild Card Race.
McCullough knows his team could still make it if they go on a little run here sometime soon. And if his offense can keep up its production, they should have no problem getting there.
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Marlins Prospect Is Giving Fans An Early Reason To Pay Attention
Jacob Lombard is already giving the Marlins something to watch in the early days of his pro career. The organizations No. 4 prospect showed off a little of everything in Jupiters game against St. Lucie at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium, helping account for all three runs in a 3-1 win while continuing to build a strong early resume as a runner and run producer.
The power display was the latest reminder that Lombard is not just making noise with his speed, either. He has five stolen bases and seven RBIs already, and he keeps finding ways to affect games even when the night gets a little uncomfortable. For a Miami system looking for young players who can create stress on both sides of the ball, Lombard is making himself hard to ignore. [Read more 🡒]
Marlins Offense Is Suddenly Putting Their Playoff Push In Danger
The Marlins still have a winning record at 62-61, but the offense that helped fuel a four-game surge has cooled at the worst possible time. Miami has seen its recent hit and run production dip, and the timing matters with the club trying to stay in the NL Wild Card race and keep pace in a crowded chase.
Between the Pirates finale and the Reds opener, the lineup managed just seven hits and one run, a reminder of how quickly an encouraging stretch can turn fragile. FanGraphs now gives Miami only a 7.7% shot at the playoffs, and the Phillies sit three games ahead for the final Wild Card spot, leaving the Marlins with little margin if the bats do not wake up soon. [Read more 🡒]
Marlins Fans Still Remember This Late Comeback From The 1996 Club
Long before the Marlins became known for anything else, the 1996 club gave fans a home finish they still talk about. In the final game of a three-game sweep of the Rockies, Miami trailed late before dgar Rentera sparked the rally with a two-run single, Alex Arias kept it alive with a game-tying double, and Jeff Conine followed with a go-ahead sacrifice fly in the final at-bat.
It was the kind of win that fit that first Marlins season, when the team was finding its footing but still showing a knack for playing Colorado well at home. Miami ended up finishing 1996 with a franchise-best record of 80-82, and for many fans, that comeback remains one of the clearest memories from a year that helped define the clubs early identity. [Read more 🡒]