Jazz Chisholm Jr. homered, but the Marlins fell to the Giants 6-2 on June 24, 2025, as Cal Quantrill and the bullpen struggled. Can Jazz carry the team alone?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was another frustrating night on the West Coast for the Miami Marlins, as they fell 6-2 to the Giants in a game defined by a struggling pitching staff. While the final score tells a familiar story of missed opportunities, the singular brilliance of Jazz Chisholm Jr. continues to be the team's brightest beacon, as he launched another homer and extended his on-base streak to 14 games.
We need to find ways to get outs late in games. The bullpen has to step up.
Even in a loss, it's impossible to ignore what Jazz Chisholm Jr. is doing. The center fielder was the engine of the offense again on Tuesday, going 2-for-4. He blasted a solo home run off Logan Webb in the sixth inning and swiped his 18th base of the season. His 14-game on-base streak is a testament to his status as the team's undeniable catalyst. As the Marlins' social media team celebrated, fans are clinging to Jazz's consistent production while the rest of the lineup searches for its rhythm.
The Marlins were in a hole early and couldn't dig out, largely due to a tough start for Cal Quantrill. The right-hander was tagged for five earned runs on seven hits over just 4.1 innings. The decisive blow came in a three-run third inning for the Giants, capped by a two-run double from Michael Conforto. Quantrill's inability to get deep into the game put immediate pressure on a bullpen that has shown its own cracks recently.
The pressure on the bullpen was evident when Anthony Bender entered the game and promptly surrendered another run in just two-thirds of an inning. His ERA ballooned to 5.12, amplifying concerns about the team's relief depth. Manager Skip Schumaker didn't mince words postgame, stating, 'We have to play cleaner baseball... The bullpen has to step up.' The manager's comments reflect a growing urgency to solve the late-inning issues that have plagued the team.
There was some good news on the roster front. Just as outfielder Dane Myers was placed on the 10-day IL with a sore left foot, the Marlins welcomed back a key power bat in Jesús Sánchez. Activated before the game, Sánchez immediately slotted into right field and made his presence felt, lacing a double in a 1-for-4 performance. His return is a welcome sight, especially after he homered in his final rehab at-bat for the Triple-A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp. Sánchez himself seemed thrilled, posting 'Back with the squad!' on social media.
While the big-league club struggles, the future looks bright in Jacksonville. The Triple-A Jumbo Shrimp extended their impressive winning streak to nine games on Tuesday. Infielder Maximo Acosta continues to swing a hot bat, collecting two more hits and driving in a pair of runs. This sustained success at the highest level of the minors provides a glimmer of hope and a reminder of the talent pipeline working its way toward Miami.
Tuesday was a microcosm of the Marlins' season so far: flashes of individual brilliance from stars like Chisholm, undermined by a lack of consistent pitching and execution. With Jesús Sánchez back in the fold, the lineup gets a much-needed boost. But as the team looks to rebound in the rest of the series against the Giants, the focus will squarely be on the mound. Can the starters provide length, and can the bullpen heed their manager's call and finally step up?
