Marlins Drop Fourth Straight Series After Tight Set with Rays

TAMPA, Fla. — The Miami Marlins dropped two out of three games to their in-state rival, the Tampa Bay Rays, this past weekend. With this series loss, the Marlins have now lost four consecutive series. Despite showing occasional signs of life—especially in their Game 2 win—the team continues to struggle with putting together complete performances. From a wild extra-inning thriller to an unfortunate warmup accident (game 2), here’s a look back at a weekend of highs and lows for the Marlins.

Game 1: Friday, June 6 Final: Rays 4, Marlins 3

A slow start and a controversial call cost the Marlins in the series opener. Edward Cabrera allowed three runs—only one earned—over four innings, and the Rays never surrendered their early lead. The game turned contentious in the fourth when a controversial interference call nullified a Marlins run and led to manager Clayton McCullough’s first ejection. Offensively, Augustin Ramirez hit his eighth home run of the season, and the team rallied for two late runs in the eighth off a Javier Sanoja double and an Otto Lopez homer. Pete Fairbanks shut the door in the ninth for the Rays.

W: Zach Littell (6-5) | L: Edward Cabrera (2-2) | S: Pete Fairbanks (12)

Game 2: Saturday, June 7 Final: Marlins 11, Rays 10 (10 innings)

Game 2 was an offensive rollercoaster. The Marlins responded to each Rays rally with one of their own, including a six-run fifth inning that flipped the game. Jesus Sanchez led the way with five RBIs, and five Marlins posted multi-hit games (Norby, Edwards, Sanchez, Fortes, and Myers). After the bullpen surrendered a late lead, Heriberto Hernandez singled home the winning run in the tenth. Cade Gibson secured his first win of the season.

(2) Codify on X: “The Marlins have allowed 94 stolen bases this year. https://t.co/7Bm0wsUMHf” / X

W: Cade Gibson (1-3) | L: Garrett Cleavinger (0-2)

Game 3: Sunday, June 8 Final: Rays 3, Marlins 2

In the rubber match, the Marlins’ pitching was solid, limiting the Rays to just six hits. Valente Bellozo was effective, but the offense couldn’t support him. Heriberto Hernandez went 3-for-3 and scored on a Jesus Sanchez single, but that was all the scoring Miami could manage. Yandy Diaz (3-for-4, 2 RBIs) was the difference for the Rays, setting up the go-ahead run in the eighth.

W: Edwin Uceta (5-1) | L: Valente Bellozo (1-3)

Looking Ahead: The Marlins now travel to Pittsburgh for a three-game set with the Pirates. The series will mark the long-awaited return of Eury Perez, who will make his first start since undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2023. With the All-Star break and trade deadline approaching, Miami’s focus will likely shift toward building value in potential trade pieces and finding any consistency to spark a turnaround.