Marlins top Brewers 5-1 on July 26, 2025, thanks to Otto Lopez's clutch double and Kyle Stowers' 23rd HR. Read how the Marlins won their third straight!
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Just when you think this Marlins team might be counted out, they pull you right back in! For the third night in a row, the Fish found a way to win, taking down the Milwaukee Brewers 5-1 in a game that felt like a statement. It was a nail-biter for six innings, but a huge seventh-inning rally, sparked by the unlikely bat of Otto Lopez, proved to be the difference as Miami keeps climbing.
Otto Lopez went 3-for-4 with a crucial two-run, bases-clearing double in the seventh inning that broke a 1-1 tie.
The hero of the night was undoubtedly Otto Lopez. Stepping to the plate in the top of the seventh with the bases loaded and the game knotted at 1-1, Lopez delivered the biggest hit of the game. He laced a double that cleared the bases, breaking the tie and giving the Marlins a lead they wouldn't relinquish. Lopez wasn't done, either, finishing the night 3-for-4 and even scoring an insurance run himself on a fielding error. It was a stellar performance that showcased exactly why his versatility is so valuable to this club.
Before Lopez's late-game heroics, it was the familiar power of Kyle Stowers that got the Marlins on the board. The All-Star left fielder crushed his 23rd home run of the season in the third inning, a solo shot that continued his incredible campaign. Stowers is now hitting .296 with 62 RBIs, firmly establishing himself as one of the premier power-hitting outfielders in the National League. His consistent pop in the middle of the order has been the engine for this offense all year.
You can't win without good pitching, and the Marlins got just that on Friday. Starter Cal Quantrill was sharp, going five strong innings while allowing just three hits and, importantly, zero walks. He kept the Brewers' bats quiet before handing the ball over to the bullpen. Josh Simpson came in and pitched a scoreless sixth, earning his first win of the season (1-0) and setting the stage for the offense's breakthrough.
While the big league club is finding its stride, the talent pipeline is looking stronger than ever. Top prospects like pitchers Thomas White and Robby Snelling continue to impress, but eyes are on the guys knocking on the door. Jakob Marsee, a key piece from the Luis Arraez trade, is having a fantastic year in Triple-A, slashing .245/.379/.440 with 11 homers and a whopping 39 stolen bases. And how about Morgan McSweeney? The recent independent ball signee tossed 6 2/3 shutout innings in his first start for the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp. The future is coming.
As the Marlins go for the series win on Saturday, there's a fascinating storyline on the mound. Right-hander Janson Junk (4-2, 3.09 ERA) is set to start against his former team, the Milwaukee Brewers. Junk, who made five appearances for the Brewers last season, will get his first crack at the team that traded him. You know he'll be pitching with a little extra motivation.
Three straight wins have this team feeling confident and playing their best baseball under first-year manager Clayton McCullough. Now at 49-53, getting back to .500 feels within reach. With the trade deadline looming and a motivated Janson Junk ready to face his old squad, this weekend series in Milwaukee has become must-watch baseball. Let's see if the Fish can keep the magic going.
