The Marlins Steal One in the Bronx to Remain Atop the NL East

The Miami Marlins traveled to the Bronx this weekend to take on the red hot, dominant Yankees. The trip started off cold as the Marlins were dominated in game one by the Yankees, much in thanks to the pitching staff putting on 11 Yankees via the walk, then game 2 was much of the same story. The Marlins had the early 4-0 lead, had 15 hits, scored 7 runs, and the bullpen blew it. The Yankees scored 9 runs on just 6 hits as the Marlins allowed another 10 free passes.

But come Sunday, the Yankees were going for the sweep with their ace on the mound, while the Marlins had some interesting pregame decisions with the rain delay as Pete Fairbanks –congratulations– got the start as he had to leave early for the birth of his child. Although Fairbanks outing did not go as planned as the Yankees jumped out to a 3-1 lead, the Marlins battled and tagged Max Fried for 3 runs, giving them a fighting chance. While Chris Paddack bounced back from his dreaded start against the White Sox, going four and two thirds scoreless.

Pete Fairbanks placed on Paternity List, Ryan Gusto recalled

The Marlins capitalized on the Yankees bullpen as Jake Bird blew the save. Bird came in with 1 out in the 8th and a runner on first (Jakob Marsee who was walked by Fernando Cruz), and he walked Otto Lopez on four pitches, hit Griffin Conine on the first pitch of the at bat, and then allowed a 2-run double to the pinch-hitter Graham Pauley. Bird was then pulled and Ryan Yarbrough allowed a 2-run rbi single to Xavier Edwards to cash in on the big inning and take a 7-4 lead that the Marlins would hold. The Yankees did score 2 in the bottom of the ninth of Anthony Bender, but he ultimately got the job done.

Only Miami has winning record vs. Yankees

Sunday’s victory puts the Marlins at 6-3, and although they lost the series, proving they could hang with the Yankees is big. The 6-3 record also holds them atop the NL East by half a game.

NL East Standings

• Marlins- 6-3
• Mets- 6-4
• Braves- 6-4
• Phillies- 5-4
• Nationals- 3-6

Upcoming Series

Four game homestand against the 6-3 Reds.

Probable Pitchers:

• Game 1- Janson Junk (0-0 | 4.15 ERA) vs Brandon Williamson (0-1 | 11.57 ERA)

  Game 2- Sandy Alcantara (2-0 | 0.00 ERA) vs Andrew Abbott (0-1 | 3.09 ERA)

  Game 3- Eury Perez (0-1 | 5.73 ERA vs Brady Singer (0-0 | 5.00 ERA)

  Game 4- Max Meyer (0-0 | 4.66 ERA) vs Rhett Lowder (1-0 | 1.64 ERA)

Big opportunity for the Marlins.