PHILADELPHIA – Miami Marlins catcher Jacob Stallings, not known for his power at the plate, clinched a series-opening win for Skip Schumaker’s bunch, 3-2, Friday night against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.
Twenty-four hours prior, the Marlins, who currently trail the Arizona Diamondbacks by a half game for the final slot in the tight National League Wild Card, were smacked around by the always-dangerous Los Angeles Dodgers in the series finale at loanDepot park, 10-0.
With the scoreless-inning streak sitting at 14.2 innings, Jesús Sánchez, coming off the bench to pinch hit, drove home Bryan De La Cruz in the sixth inning with a game-tying two-run blast to right center field.
The young Eury Pérez kept the game close for the Marlins (73-68).
Pérez worked five innings, allowing a solo home run to Trea Turner and a bloop RBI single to center field off the bat of Bryce Harper to make the score 2-0 in favor of the Phillies (77-63), who sit atop the National League Wild Card standings.
Phillies left-hander Christopher Sánchez blanked Miami for five innings, punching out four on 82 pitches.
Marlins left-hander Tanner Scott secured the save after closing the door with a perfect nine-pitch ninth.
Scoreboard watching- When was the last time the Marlins’ best friend was the out-of-town scoreboard in September? With 21 games left on the schedule, Miami sits a half game out of the final National League Wild Card spot. Insane times.
How big was Stallins’ solo shot? - Batting .198 in 2023, Stallings has just three home runs under Schumaker, with the last being against the Dodgers on August 18. Prior to that, July 5 against St. Louis at loanDepot park.
Next- The Marlins will turn to veteran right-hander Johnny Cueto Saturday evening at 6:05 p.m. ET. Philadelphia will send out right-hander Aaron Nola, who is not a stranger to the Marlins.