MIAMI—In the first two contests between the Marlins and AL West-leading Astros, Miami’s bats floundered, combining for twelve hits between Monday’s and Tuesday’s losing efforts.

On Wednesday alone, the Fish collected 14, rebounding for a 6-4 victory.

“We were showing the resiliency this group has shown on a number of occasions,” Marlins manager Clayton McCullough told the media postgame. “Really good sign again for our guys to come back and win this game, finish off the homestand with a winning record.”

After falling into an early 2-0 deficit, Miami wasted no time in the bottom of the first, singling six times and scoring three off Astros starter Spencer Arrighetti, who returned to the mound for the first time since early April after fracturing his right thumb on a stray ball in batting practice.

Insurance came in the second, third and fifth, all courtesy of rookies, with Heriberto Hernández and Graham Pauley blasting solo shots in the two latter frames. Five of the first-year Fish in the lineup combined for half of Miami’s hits in the finale: Agustín Ramírez, Liam Hicks, Jakob Marsee, Hernández and Pauley.

Hernández, who has done nothing but put together competitive plate appearances and show up in big moments since being promoted back in late May, is now slashing .308/.369/.513 in 117 at-bats. For McCullough, though, it’s the attitude that the big outfielder possesses that continues to leave a mark on him.

“All Bert’s done is hit,” said McCullough. “He’s hit versus right. He’s hit versus left. He’s hit for power. He’s come up with hits with runners in scoring position. Him and (hitting coach) Pedro (Guerrero) even in the last couple of days put in some really good work, and Bert’s been doing great. I think you see him elevate the ball to the pull side like he did—the kind of spin that he got on it for a home run is a good sign. I think there’s more in there with him. There’s a chance to even tap into more power.”

Pauley joined in on the fun with his first blast at loanDepot park after collecting his inaugural as a Marlin last week in St. Louis.

The 24-year-old spoke highly of the relationships him and his fellow rookies have, saying “we got a lot of really good characters. I think the bond that we have, it goes beyond just the field. We’ve spent a lot of time together here, which helps a lot. And we’re all kind of in the same spot. A lot of young guys trying to make a name for themselves. We’re always playing for each other.”

Outside of the least-experienced Marlins, third-year player Xavier Edwards showcased his game on full display at the top of Miami’s order.

Edwards collected four hits, stole a base and corralled a game-saving catch with two outs and the bases loaded in the top of the eighth, moments after Calvin Faucher‘s heroics.

“We’ve seen a real aggressiveness a lot from X,” noted McCullough. “Seen him get the head out on a number of occasions and pull the ball for some extra-base hits. And that’s what X does—he’s just a really good hitter, and count on him putting together a really good at-bats when he goes up there. He takes some shots early in counts, too. And once he gets into an at-bat, he really makes the pitcher work, so I think we just see the version of X that we expect—a guy who just sets the table at the top, moves the ball around.”

Since returning from the IL and moving to second base in May, Edwards has a .313/.371/.415 slash line. In addition, he has played exceptional defense at his new position, boasting six defensive runs saved.

Back to one game under .500 at 56-57, Miami embarks on its second trip of the season to what has been a house of nightmares in seasons past, Truist Park in Atlanta. Due to a rainout in their first meeting back in April, these division rivals are set to play five games in four days (Saturday will feature a doubleheader).

“It’s going to be a tough stretch physically and mentally for both sides,” said McCullough. “It’s a lot of baseball coming on the back end of this, six games in a row going into that, but all we can do is come out ready tomorrow. We’ll have Eury (Pérez) on the mound and try to play well in game one.”