Marlins Use 8-Run Ninth Inning To Blow Past Diamondbacks 11-3
MIAMI (CBSMiami/AP) - Jacob Stallings hit a go-ahead single in the ninth, Jazz Chisholm Jr. followed with a three-run homer and the Miami Marlins used an eight-run final inning to beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 11-3 on Wednesday.
Miami controlled most of the game until the eighth when pinch hitter Jordan Luplow connected for a tying two-run homer against Marlins reliever Steven Okert.
Miami responded quickly — and decisively — off Mark Melancon.
Stallings came into the game hitting just .183 but came up big in the ninth, hitting a single that put the Marlins back in front.
Chisholm then drove a low pitch out to left-center, barely clearing the wall for a three-run blast that pushed Miami's lead to 7-3.
It has been a rough stretch for Melancon (0-4), the veteran closer who signed a $14 million, two-year deal with the Diamondbacks during the offseason. He has surrendered eight runs over his last three outings.
Avisaíl García capped the ninth with another three-run shot off J.B. Wendelken.
It was García's second at-bat of the inning — he started the rally with a walk.
Joey Wendle got the Marlins on the board in the first with a two-run shot down the right-field line that landed in the visitor's bullpen.
Miami tacked on another run in the second on an RBI single from Stallings.
Luplow's homer denied a win for Marlins starter Sandy Alcantara, who permitted one run and two hits over seven innings.
D-backs rookie Alek Thomas hit his first career homer in the third, a solo shot over the 413-foot sign in the center, but that was the team's only hit until the seventh.
The Marlins avoided a three-game sweep and won for just the second time in their past 11 games.
The D-backs had their three-game winning streak snapped.
Arizona starter Merrill Kelly gave up three runs over five innings.
The right-hander has been one of baseball's best pitchers through the first five weeks of the season with a 1.22 ERA, but he struggled in his first two innings.
FINALLY, BEER PREVAILS
D-backs designated hitter Seth Beer snapped an 0-for-37 streak with a single in the seventh.
Beer got off to a great start this season — hitting a game-winning homer on opening day — but has been in a prolonged funk. It was his first hit since April 22.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Marlins: Wendle left in the third inning with right hamstring tightness.
UP NEXT
Marlins: Return home for a nine-game homestand starting Friday with a three-game series against the Brewers.
The Marlins will start RHP Pablo Lopez (4-1, 1.00 ERA) in the first game.
The Brewers will counter with RHP Corbin Burnes (1-2, 1.86 ERA).
Diamondbacks: Open a three-game series against the Cubs on Friday. RHP Zach Davies (1-1, 3.34 ERA) will be on the mound for the first game.
The visiting Cubs will start LHP Drew Smyly (1-3, 3.04 ERA).
(© Copyright 2022 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
