MIAMI—Unable to capitalize on multiple opportunities, the Miami Marlins had their eight-game winning streak snapped on Wednesday night. The Twins squeaked past them, 2-1, to force a rubber match.
More than any other key moment, an unusual play in the bottom of the sixth inning stood out. Miami had Jesús Sánchez on second with two outs and their best run producer, Kyle Stowers, coming to the plate.
The left-handed hitting outfielder ripped a liner up the middle that would have easily scored Sánchez and evened the game at two. However, the ball hit the foot of second base umpire Emil Jimenez. Because the ball was interfered with before passing any of the infielders, in accordance with MLB Rule 5.06(c)(6), Jimenez was forced to call the play dead. Stowers was awarded the single, but Sánchez was sent back to second base, taking away the tying run.
Eric Wagaman would later strike out, ending the inning and keeping the score 2-1 in favor of the Twins.
“It’s kind of a crappy play,” Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said after the game. “Stowers put a great swing on it, the ball made contact with the umpire. It’s unfortunate the way things turned out, but that’s how things go.”
By the letter of the rulebook, Jimenez made the right call, and there’s nothing to argue for the Fish.
Home plate umpire and crew chief James Hoye commented about the incident after the game to pool reporter Daniel Álvarez-Montes of El Extrabase. “I haven’t seen that kind of play in a long time—probably 15 years. The ball went right at his [Jimenez’s] feet. It was one of those ‘Which way do you go?’ moments. He tried to get out of the way, but it hit him on the side of the foot.”
Hoye was asked about McCullough’s comments after the game. “I agree,” Hoye stated. “But that’s the rule, and we have to enforce it. Big situation, for sure. But the last thing the umpire wants is to get hit by a ball coming off the bat at over 100 miles per hour. That’s the absolute last thing he wants.”
It’s horrible luck for the Marlins that was likely the deciding factor in Wednesday’s outcome. The Marlins still had chances to even the score later in the game, but couldn’t due to a great throw by Minnesota’s left fielder, Harrison Bader, who gunned down Connor Norby at the plate in the bottom of the seventh.
Right-handed pitcher Janson Junk got the start and had one of his best outings this season. He pitched a career-high six innings. Junk allowed six hits, two runs, no walks, and a season-best seven strikeouts. It was also the first quality start of his MLB career.
“The thing that has made Junk so good throughout this year is his ability to pound the strike zone and get early outs,” McCullough said about Junk’s outing. “He showed it again tonight with six strong innings of pounding the strike zone with multiple weapons.”
The 29-year-old right-hander had a 78.3% first-pitch strike rate in the ballgame. Dating back to May 9, he has faced 86 consecutive batters without allowing a walk.
Left-handed relief pitcher Josh Simpson replaced Junk in the top of the seventh. After walking the leadoff batter, Simpson rebounded by striking out Ryan Jeffers and getting Ty France to ground into a 5-4-3 double play.
Right-hander Valente Bellozo pitched the final two innings and kept the Marlins in the ballgame. Bellozo allowed two hits, no runs, no walks, and one strikeout on 21 pitches.
What’s next?
The series winner will be decided on Thursday. The Marlins will hand the ball to right-handed pitcher Eury Pérez. The 22-year-old has had his ups and downs in his first few starts back from Tommy John surgery. Pérez has posted a 0-2 record with a 6.19 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, and 4.02 FIP in four starts.
Right-handed pitcher David Festa will get the start for the Minnesota Twins in the series finale. The Seton Hall product has made eight appearances and seven starts for the Twins this season. He has posted a 2-2 record with a 5.40 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 4.69 FIP, and 9.3 K/9 in 36 ⅔ innings pitched.
The first pitch for the rubber match is at 12:10 pm EST, with national television coverage courtesy of MLB Network.