The Miami Marlins escaped a series sweep in dramatic fashion Thursday night, securing a 4-3 walk-off victory over the Baltimore Orioles thanks to a costly ninth-inning error. The win not only snapped Miami's four-game losing streak but also gave the home crowd at loanDepot park a thrilling finish to remember.
The decisive moment came with two outs in the bottom of the ninth. Joe Mack, just called up from the minors on Monday, laced a double off Orioles reliever Andrew Kittredge (0-1). Javier Sanoja then stepped to the plate and hit a routine grounder to third baseman Coby Mayo. But Mayo bobbled the ball, and his hurried, wild throw to first sailed wide, allowing Mack to race home with the winning run.
Baltimore had tied the game in the top of the eighth on a run-scoring single from Pete Alonso, extending his season-high hitting streak to eight games. The slugger was a force throughout the series, finishing with four hits, six RBIs, and a home run.
Marlins reliever Calvin Faucher (3-2) worked a clean ninth inning to earn the win, keeping the game within reach for Miami's late heroics.
Miami actually jumped out to an early lead for the first time in the series. In the first inning, Liam Hicks crushed his ninth home run of the year—a 386-foot blast off Orioles starter Cade Povich—that scored Connor Norby and gave Hicks a major league-leading 34 RBIs. Povich left the game after just three innings with left forearm discomfort, allowing three hits and three runs before being relieved by Yennier Cano.
Marlins shortstop Otto Lopez continued his scorching start to the season, collecting two hits including a leadoff single in the eighth. He's now riding a 10-game hitting streak and has reached base safely in 32 of Miami's first 38 games.
For Baltimore, Gunnar Henderson and Tyler O'Neill each drove in a run with singles off Marlins starter Max Meyer, who struck out five and allowed six hits over five innings of work.
Looking ahead, the Orioles will head home to host the Athletics on Friday night, with right-hander Kyle Bradish (1-4, 5.03 ERA) taking the mound. The Marlins, meanwhile, continue their 10-game homestand against the Nationals, where left-hander Robby Snelling is set to make his MLB debut against Washington's Foster Griffin (3-1, 2.27).