MIAMI -- The Marlins snapped a season-high-tying four-game skid in Thursday night’s 4-3 walk-off win over the Orioles at loanDepot park thanks to some fortunate bounces.
With the game tied, 3-3, in the ninth, Joe Mack (Marlins No. 4 prospect, No. 52 overall) doubled with two outs. Javier Sanoja sent a chopper to Orioles third baseman Coby Mayo, who bobbled the ball, then misfired the throw to first to score Mack.
Liam Hicks gave the Marlins their first lead of the series with a two-run homer to right in the first inning. His ninth tater of the season came on a hanging slider from lefty Cade Povich, signifying his first-career long ball against a southpaw. With the two RBIs, he took over the Major League lead (34).
In the third inning, Connor Norby drove in a run with an RBI single against his former club.
Right-hander Max Meyer, who was coming off a career-high seven innings his last time out, allowed two runs over five frames. Lefty Andrew Nardi and righty Michael Petersen handled the next two scoreless innings to keep the Marlins ahead, 3-2. Nardi received help from center fielder Jakob Marsee, who crashed into the left-center wall to rob Samuel Basallo of extra bases to begin the sixth.
Instead of going with experienced late-inning right-handed options Calvin Faucher, Anthony Bender or Tyler Phillips in the eighth, manager Clayton McCullough went with Marlins No. 30 prospect Josh Ekness to face the top of the O’s lineup.
Ekness walked Taylor Ward, marking his first runner allowed through the first seven hitters he had faced in the Majors. Dylan Beavers followed with a single, forcing a mound visit from pitching coach Daniel Moskos and Faucher to warm up in the bullpen.
Pete Alonso tied the game with a broken-bat RBI single to center before Ekness induced a 4-6-3 double play and a flyout to left to escape further damage.