Marlins rally three times, secure dramatic walk-off win over Yankees

Miami Herald

3 days ago

Marlins' president of baseball operations Peter Bendix ultimately believed in this surging ballclub enough not to disassemble it at the trade deadline.
Energized by the show of support, Marlins' players validated that vote of confidence by delivering some magic Friday night — first during a surreal seventh inning that left the raucous crowd of 32,299 inside loanDepot park spellbound, then in the bottom of the ninth for a 13-12 walk-off win against the Yankees.
Two runs scored on Xavier Edwards' single to right field, knotting the score. Then Edwards slid home safely for the winning run on Agustín Ramírez's dribbler in front of home plate.
In the seventh inning, Kyle Stowers crushed a grand slam, Javier Sanoja followed with his second homer of the night, and Ramírez added an RBI single as the Marlins erased a five-run deficit to the Yankees and took a one-run lead.
The Bronx Bombers tied it up the next inning on Anthony Volpe's homer off Lake Bachar and took a 12-10 lead with a pair of runs in the ninth against Anthony Bender.
Talk about an electric start to this three-game series and six-game homestand.
Marlins' fans can only hope it's a preview of the rest of this season with a roster that only lost catcher Nick Fortes and outfielder Jesús Sánchez to trades.
For the record, Bendix said he explored numerous options right up to Thursday's 6 p.m. deadline.
'It's constant, especially the last 24 hours before the deadline,' Bendix said before the game. 'It's a phone call, a text message, or a conversation with our group — pretty much nonstop.'
In the end, the Marlins decided not to part with several integral pieces under team control, notably starting pitchers Sandy Alcantara and Edward Cabrera.
'We continued to build on the plan that we've had, adding as much talent to this organization as we possibly can, getting the players that we have better, and really just continuing on this path that we're really excited about,' Bendix said.
He indicated that the team's success on the field, in part, played a role in the team's decision to mostly stay pat at the deadline.
Of the team's surge the past two months, he said, 'I think the progress that we have seen from this group is nothing short of fantastic. It's a testament to our coaches. It's a testament to the players.'
He added, 'It's a proof of concept of what we've been saying since day one. It makes me incredibly excited for the future.'
Manager Clayton McCullough said his team's 'very excited' to be able to 'keep the majority of things intact.'
'We've been playing well now for the last couple of months,' McCullough said before the game. 'To have this group here right now going forward for the last couple of months, no one wants to see teammates move along. And so I know a lot of them were comfortable here, happy here, and excited for hopefully we can continue to grow and play well as we continue on through the back half of the season.'
Alcantara said players wanted to avoid a roster shake-up and see what they can accomplish with their current group.
'Everybody's happy the way we've been competing,' he said. 'The way we've been winning games. Inside there, you can see in the clubhouse, in the dugout, it feels completely different.
Personally, Alcantara noted, 'There's nothing I wanted more than to stay in Miami.'
Alcantara said he expected to eventually see that he had been traded as he was 'grabbing my phone every two seconds' while watching MLB Network at home with family.
'Yesterday was the hardest day I had ever,' he said. 'I thought I was leaving. But I'm happy to be back in Miami. This is my home. I want to stay here.'
Bendix said he wouldn't comment on specific conversations or negotiations regarding Alcantara, but added, 'I just felt really comfortable with that decision.'
While Quantrill isn't under team control, the Marlins still chose to hold onto him, Bendix said, because 'he's getting better and better over the course of the season' and 'He's a leader here.
'I think he's a good example for a lot of our young players, especially our young pitchers,' Bendix added, 'and he's been helping us win games.'
Jakob Marsee was selected from Triple-A Jacksonville and made his MLB debut, starting in center field and batting ninth.
Marsee doubled to center field for his first career hit in the seventh inning. Marsee also drew three walks, joining Quilvio Veras (who had two on April 25, 1995) as the only players in Marlins history to walk multiple times in their MLB debut.
'I got choked up a couple times on the drive here just thinking about the journey to get here, my parents, and everything they've done,' Marsee said before the game. 'As soon as I walked out here, I was like, 'All right, it's time.''
Marlins' starter Janson Junk surrendered six runs on six hits — all in the fourth and fifth innings, including a three-run homer to former Marlin Giancarlo Stanton.
Eric Wagaman broke up Yankees starter Carlos Rodón's no-hit bid with a leadoff single to left in the fifth, and Javier Sanoja followed with a two-run homer to right.
Right-hander Ryan Gusto, acquired from the Astros as part of the Jesús Sánchez trade, was optioned to Jacksonville.
Left-hander Anthony Veneziano was designated for assignment.
Shortstop Otto Lopez was named the Sports Info Solution's Co-Defensive Player of the Month for July with the Rangers' Adolis Garcia and Mets' Luis Torrens.