Miami Marlins over .500 thanks to two Giancarlo Stanton home runs

The Miami Marlins have officially come all the way back from the dead. They win the first of three games against the Padres on the back of another explosive offensive night.

If you haven’t heard, the Miami Marlins are scorching hot. They’re stringing wins together and making the wildcard race interesting. Just over a month ago, the notion that the Marlins might compete for a playoff spot might have been met with mockery.

With Friday’s win over the San Diego Padres, the Miami Marlins put themselves over the .500 mark for the first time since April 26th. It came in what has been familiar fashion. Home runs, solid pitching from the bullpen, a whole lotta energy.

The Miami Marlins are officially a winning baseball team.

Giancarlo Stanton supplied the bulk of the production. He belted home runs no. 48, and 49, both solo shots. His double down the left field line in the fourth inning chased home two runs. Needing a little more production to put them ahead for good, a three run home run from Marcell Ozuna in the bottom of the seventh inning sealed the win.

Perhaps the most impressive offensive plate appearance might have been the least appreciated by Giancarlo Stanton. With Dee Gordon on base, Stanton worked a five-pitch walk. Ahead 3-0 in the count, he let one cross down the middle after Gordon got a great jump stealing second.

Rather than chase a ball away like he might have done earlier in his career, he took his free base on the next pitch. Wouldn’t you know it, Ozuna would come up two batters later and hit his dinger.

From there, impressive outings from Kyle Barraclough and closer Brad Ziegler were drama free. Barraclough allowed a hit and walked a batter before striking out the side. Ziegler set them down in order.

The bigger picture

It’s hard not to peek at the standings. With a loss in Atlanta, the Colorado Rockies saw their lead in the wildcard shrink by a game. The Miami Marlins are now only 4.5 games back from one of the available spots.

Not yet in the month of September, if the Marlins can continue to win more than they lose, their dreams draw closer to a reality. It’s not a pipe dream anymore, they’re within five games. They’re officially in the hunt.

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Home runs by Giancarlo Stanton. Marcell Ozuna hits his 30th of the season. Ziegler continues to be rock steady at the backend of the bullpen. It was an impressive victory for the Miami Marlins who continue to give you reason to believe.