The Miami Marlins defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 8-3 on June 18, snapping both their home losing streak and the Phils' win streak. Sanoja's triple led the way.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Just when it felt like the loanDepot park blues were setting in, the Miami Marlins unleashed an offensive barrage Wednesday night, snapping their five-game home losing streak with a resounding 8-3 victory over the red-hot Philadelphia Phillies. It was a complete team effort that not only halted the Phillies' own five-game win streak but also showcased the kind of explosive potential this lineup possesses.
The Marlins finished with 13 hits, marking their sixth game with double-digit hits in their last 10 contests.
The bats came to play from the start. Eric Wagaman got the party started with a two-run blast in the second inning, and Jesús Sánchez kept it going with a solo shot in the seventh for his seventh homer of the season. The decisive blow came in a three-run sixth inning, where the Marlins took the lead for good. Xavier Edwards delivered a clutch RBI single, and Javier Sanoja followed with a thrilling run-scoring triple that ignited the dugout. Edwards led the charge with three hits, while Sanoja added a single to his triple, contributing to a 13-hit team total.
While the offense grabbed the headlines, the pitching staff did its job to secure the win. Starter Cal Quantrill was perfect through the first three innings, retiring the first nine Phillies he faced before Trea Turner tagged him for a leadoff homer in the fourth. Quantrill battled through four-plus innings, allowing three runs. Freddy Tarnok (1-0) was brilliant in relief, pitching a clean and efficient sixth inning to earn his first win of the season.
The victory was tempered by a scary moment in the third inning when centerfielder Dane Myers was struck on the left elbow by a 95-mph fastball from Phillies starter Mick Abel. Myers immediately left the game, and his status remains uncertain pending further evaluation. It's a tough break for the outfielder, and the team will be anxiously awaiting good news.
In some fantastic off-field news, manager Clayton McCullough was named an honorary coach for the National League at the 2025 MLB All-Star Game. He was invited by Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, the defending World Series champion manager. It's a significant honor for McCullough and a testament to the respect he commands around the league.
While he wasn't on the mound tonight, Sandy Alcántara continues to make his mark on the franchise. In his most recent start, his five strikeouts pushed him past Josh Johnson for second place on the Marlins’ all-time strikeout list with 834 career Ks. It's another milestone for the ace as he cements his legacy in Marlins history.
The present looked bright on Wednesday, and the future is getting brighter, too. The Marlins' farm system has seen a major influx of talent over the past year, with 19 new prospects joining the organization. Key acquisitions like Starlyn Caba, Agustin Ramirez, Dillon Head, and Robby Snelling have helped elevate the system to middle-of-the-pack status, with a clear focus on developing impact hitters to complement the club's traditional pitching depth.
Wednesday's win was a powerful reminder of what this offense is capable of. While the team awaits news on Dane Myers, the victory against a top contender, coupled with honors for the manager and milestones for a franchise ace, provides a much-needed jolt of energy. The focus now shifts to winning the series and building on this momentum, fueled by a blend of veteran power and the promise of a brighter future.
