Marlins unload in 6-run frame en route to 3rd straight series win

MIAMI -- Two weeks ago, the Marlins were in the midst of a season-long five-game skid. Injuries began to mount, as the club closed in on a season-low eight games below .500.

How quickly things can change.

With Wednesday night’s 8-0 victory over the D-backs at loanDepot park, the Marlins (33-35) have won four games in a row, tying a season high. They’ve also captured seven of their last eight games, and a third straight series win for the first time this season.

“Go on a streak like this, and you win multiple series in a row, it generally takes kind of clicking in all facets,” manager Clayton McCullough said. “Right now, [we’ve] been able to pitch well, and offensively do what's required, and to take the outs that are provided.”

Here are some of the noteworthy storylines:

Ryan Gusto dealt
Miami gave Gusto, who had permitted three runs across each of his two outings since being recalled, a longer leash. He tossed four scoreless innings, allowing three hits -- all singles -- with one walk and four strikeouts in his first traditional big league start of the season.

Things were dicey in a 28-pitch first, but Gusto struck out the side to get out of a jam. When the D-backs put runners on the corners with one out, Nolan Arenado swung through Gusto’s sweeper on the 11th pitch of the at-bat. He then caught Pavin Smith looking at a 96.2 mph four-seamer down the middle to end the threat.

“Definitely trying to strike everyone out,” Gusto said. “You don't want to give up any runs if at all possible. I think the only acceptable ball to put in play there would be a [double play], obviously. It's easier said than done, but definitely not trying to give up a run ever. So it'd be strikeout, or like weak contact in the infield would be ideal there.”

That sequence began a stretch of eight consecutive batters retired until Gusto’s leadoff walk to Gabriel Moreno in the fourth. After Geraldo Perdomo singled to put a pair of runners on with two outs, Gusto once again got out of a jam with a pop out to second.

With right-handers Janson Junk and Eury Pérez rehabbing their respective injuries, and lefty Robby Snelling out until mid-2027, the Marlins have gotten by with a makeshift rotation over the past two weeks. Tyler Phillips had already converted to a starting role, so Miami has used four openers during this stretch.

McCullough confirmed Gusto would pitch again in some capacity for his next turn -- whether it be as a bulk option or starter.

“I'm just trying to do my job,” Gusto said. “Obviously, I want to be in the mix as much as possible, but I have to earn that spot, and so it's not up for me to decide. I just have to do my job every chance that I get, and hope that things work out.”

Kyle Stowers is producing
With the Marlins ahead 1-0 in the fourth, the lineup busted the game open with a six-run inning.

Owen Caissie lined a two-run homer and Stowers later slugged a three-run blast to the second deck, turning on an inside cutter. The 425-foot shot was his furthest of 2026, and the 110.8 mph exit velocity matched a season high.

Miami’s lone All-Star in 2025 has driven in at least one run in five of his eight games this month after a slow start (.664 OPS through May).

“Coming into this, Kyle was someone we were counting on heavily to be a key part of our offense,” McCullough said. “Having Kyle get going and putting together really terrific at-bats, driving in runs, supplying some power, [it’s] only going to help lengthen out our lineup, make us more dangerous. Getting Kyle swinging the bat like this would be a big thing for us.”

Otto Lopez is a hit machine
The Marlins broke a scoreless deadlock in the third on Lopez’s RBI single. During the six-run fourth, he tallied his second RBI knock of the game.

Lopez is the first Marlin since Luis Arraez in 2023 to lead the Majors in hits (91) and average (.342) this late into the season. His 28 multi-hit performances also pace MLB. He entered the night with the highest fWAR (2.7) among NL shortstops.

“It feels amazing, what I'm doing,” Lopez said pregame. “It happened in the Minor Leagues, but I get to see it as a Major Leaguer now, and seeing that, it's great to see that, and take the whole team with it. And even more, like I wish we continue to do the great job that we've been doing to just go to the playoffs.”