Edward Cabrera's gem wasn't enough as the Marlins fell 2-1 to the Phillies on June 19, 2025. A Kyle Schwarber HR sealed the gut-wrenching loss for Miami.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a classic case of 'so close, yet so far' for the Miami Marlins on Thursday. Fans watched Edward Cabrera spin his best performance of the season, a masterful 6.1-inning effort that silenced the potent Phillies lineup. But in a painful reminder of this team's struggles, a single swing in the eighth inning undid all that good work, sending the Marlins to a crushing 2-1 loss and setting a somber tone as they return home to face the rival Atlanta Braves.
'You just have to compete and try to move the ball forward.' - Catcher Nick Fortes on the team's mindset after the tough loss.
You couldn't have asked for more from Edward Cabrera. He was electric against Philadelphia, limiting them to just one run on two hits while striking out five. For a moment, it looked like Nick Fortes' clutch RBI infield single in the fifth would be enough. But manager Clayton McCullough's decision to go to the bullpen will be second-guessed all weekend. Anthony Bender entered in the eighth and promptly served up a go-ahead, two-run blast to Kyle Schwarber, snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. The loss dropped the Marlins to 29-44 and sealed a series loss, three games to one.
The Marlins have to shake off that heartbreak immediately as they welcome the Atlanta Braves for a three-game set starting tonight. In a surprise move, the team has tabbed right-hander Janson Junk (1-0, 2.78 ERA) to make his first start of the season. He'll be facing a true wild card in 20-year-old Didier Fuentes, Atlanta's No. 10 prospect, who is making his MLB debut. With an offense led by Xavier Edwards (.289 AVG) and Kyle Stowers (10 HR) struggling for consistency, the Marlins desperately need a strong outing from Junk to set a positive tone.
While the big-league club struggles, there's reason for optimism down on the farm. The system is teeming with talent, thanks to savvy moves at the trade deadline and in the draft. Keep an eye on names like pitcher Adam Mazur, acquired from San Diego, and slugger Deyvison De Los Santos. Recent draftees PJ Morlando and Carter Johnson are also generating buzz. The organization's renewed focus on player development could mean these prospects start making an impact in Miami sooner rather than later, offering a glimmer of hope beyond the current standings.
Tonight's game against the Braves feels like a crucial turning point. Can the Marlins flush Thursday's devastating loss and rally behind an unexpected starter in Janson Junk? Or will the powerful Braves offense, led by Matt Olson and Austin Riley, prove too much? The weekend will tell us a lot about this team's resilience and their ability to, as Nick Fortes said, simply 'move the ball forward.'
