New faces in new places power Marlins' 4th straight win amid Wild Card race

MIAMI -- The moving parts since Liam Hicks’ departure and Kyle Stowers’ injury fueled the Marlins’ 8-2 victory over the Pirates on Wednesday night at loanDepot park.

Agustín Ramírez collected two hits while Griffin Conine and Heriberto Hernández went deep to back right-hander Janson Junk’s quality start in Miami’s fourth straight win. Miami (62-59) moved within 1 1/2 games of the D-backs and Phillies for the final National League Wild Card with 41 games remaining in the regular season.

When Hicks was dealt, it ushered in Ramírez’s return after a months-long demotion. The hope is that Ramírez -- owner of 21 homers during his rookie season in 2025 -- can provide some much-needed impact from the right side on a left-handed-heavy roster. Wednesday was a good start.

“It'll be big,” manager Clayton McCullough said. “We still certainly believe in Agustín -- he's a good player. He smoked the ball in the No. 5, No. 6 hole, the double down the third-base line. He's another one who swings fast and hits the ball hard. We've seen him do things like tonight. He's certainly very capable, and I think right now, we just need contributions from as many places as we can get it. And when guys get chances to go in there and pass the baton to the next guy, that is going to need to come from all over the lineup.”

Ramírez, who was recalled from Triple-A Jacksonville on Aug. 4, tallied his second multihit performance since his return and was involved in the club’s first two rallies.

Trailing 1-0 in the second inning, Jakob Marsee and Ramírez singled (107.8 mph exit velocity) to open the frame, but the next two batters recorded outs without advancing the baserunners. Joe Mack walked to load the bases before Xavier Edwards drove in a run with an infield hit.

An inning later, Ramírez collected his second hit in as many at-bats -- a 110.6 mph RBI double -- that chased Pirates righty Carmen Mlodzinski. The Marlins then capitalized on lefty Evan Sisk’s wildness to score three additional runs. After Javier Sanoja walked to load the bases, Leo Jiménez was hit by a pitch, Mack walked and Edwards produced a sacrifice fly.

Prior to Wednesday, Ramírez had been 3-for-9 with two walks and four strikeouts since his return. Wednesday marked his third start (two at designated hitter and one at catcher).

“I am here for the opportunity that they give me, and for whatever the team wants to do with me,” Ramírez said in Spanish. “It felt good. I am super happy. That is what I want to do and be able to stay here no matter what. That is what I want to achieve and contribute to the team in whatever way [I can].”

Hicks’ move not only freed up the DH spot, but also the backup first-base gig. With Stowers sidelined, the novice Conine has started each of the first two games there as he continues to get regular playing time.

Conine, who was robbed of a homer and flied out to the warning track in center in Tuesday’s win, stayed red-hot by taking former teammate Lake Bachar deep for a solo shot in the fourth to extend the lead to 6-2.

Entering Wednesday, Conine’s 34.3 HR/FB% rate (min. 140 plate appearances) was best in the Majors. His home run in every 11.69 at-bats would also pace MLB if he qualified. For reference, Rockies All-Star catcher Hunter Goodman goes deep once every 12.18 at-bats (in 414 AB) -- the top mark in MLB.

“It was nice,” said Conine, who reached a career-high-tying five times. “You try to scale it, and you never know here. But even yesterday, I felt really good about my at-bats. The results weren't fully there. Anytime you're hitting the ball hard in the air as a hitter, you're in a good spot, and [I’m] not swinging out of the zone a lot right now. Didn't want to change a thing and just hopefully they fall a little more. And today they did.”

McCullough was aggressive, pinch-hitting for left-handed-hitting Owen Caissie in the third with southpaw Sisk on the mound. It caught Conine off guard, as his outfield glove was in the clubhouse when he needed to move from first to right field the next half-inning.

Hernández later clubbed his team-leading 17th homer of the season with a two-run blast in the sixth, one of the six hardest-hit balls (108.1 mph) of the game -- all by Miami.

“You look up and down, and Gus certainly hits the ball hard, and Griff and Bert, Joe Mack, Owen,” McCullough said. “We do have a number of guys that have that type of capability, and it really just boils down to their willingness to be really stubborn with what they're going to go fire at and take their chances on those offerings.”