Marlins fall to Brewers 6-5 on July 5, 2025, despite Otto Lopez's homer. Christian Yelich scores the winner, highlighting Miami's historic defensive woes.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was another one of those nights at loanDepot park. A game that felt winnable, a game filled with flashes of power, and ultimately, a game that slipped through the Marlins' fingers. A crushing 6-5 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night, sealed by a familiar face in Christian Yelich scoring the go-ahead run in the eighth, dropped the Marlins to 39-46 and left fans wondering what could have been.
The Marlins are on pace to allow 210 stolen bases this season, far surpassing their franchise record of 139 set just last year.
The Marlins showed plenty of fight. They battled back to tie the game in the fifth inning, thanks to a ringing triple from Jesús Sánchez who was promptly driven in by Otto Lopez. Lopez was a bright spot, also launching his ninth homer of the year and driving in two. Connor Norby chipped in with his fifth home run, but it wasn't enough to overcome a shaky start from Sandy Alcantara, who surrendered five earned runs in six innings. The decisive blow came in the eighth when Jackson Chourio's double scored Yelich from first, handing reliever Cade Gibson the tough-luck loss.
Friday's loss highlighted some persistent issues plaguing the 2025 Marlins. The team's vulnerability on the basepaths is becoming historic; they're currently on pace to shatter the franchise record for stolen bases allowed. This combination of slow deliveries to the plate and a high walk rate is giving opponents free passes into scoring position. Compounding the issue is the ever-revolving door of the lineup card. The club is on track to use 156 different batting orders this season, a testament to the injuries and roster instability that have prevented any real offensive rhythm from taking hold.
While the big-league club struggles for consistency, the future is looking bright in the minor leagues. Down in Triple-A, Graham Pauley blasted two home runs off a top pitching prospect. In Double-A, Robby Snelling was dominant, striking out eight over five innings. And the kids in the lower levels are raking: PJ Morlando continues to be an on-base machine for Low-A Jupiter, while Diwarys Encarnacion is an RBI machine in the DSL. It's a needed reminder that the talent pipeline is flowing.
One of the most intriguing stories from the farm is the emergence of Morgan McSweeney. Plucked from independent ball, the right-hander made his first start for Triple-A Jacksonville and was nothing short of brilliant. McSweeney tossed 6.2 shutout innings, allowing just four hits and a walk. It's a low-risk, high-reward move that's already paying dividends and provides a fascinating storyline to follow.
The sting of a one-run loss at home is real, and the team's 39-46 record is frustrating. But baseball is a marathon, not a sprint. While the current team searches for answers on the basepaths and in the batter's box, the electrifying performances in Jacksonville, Pensacola, and beyond provide a crucial dose of optimism. The challenge now is bridging that gap between future promise and present performance. For now, the Marlins will look to bounce back and even the series against the Brewers tomorrow.
