Marlins power to series win over Padres

The Miami Marlins once again scored nine runs, the second night in a row, as they beat the San Diego Padres 9-3 on the road.

The Miami Marlins must like the number nine. The team has scored nine runs in their last two games, the last being a 9-3 win over the San Diego Padres on Sunday to claim the series on the road.

"“Led by catcher Jorge Alfaro, the Marlins took two of three in the weekend series and have won four of their past five series. They have won 11 of their past 16 games,” Shaun O’Neill of MLB.com wrote."

It wasn’t just about the power of Alfaro’s bat or the consistent hitting by the team’s lineup. Trevor Richards had another solid start, holding Padres hitters to one hit while walking two over five innings. It was Richards who was without a victory until last week. Now he has strung together two victories in a row.

The win sends the Marlins back east with a series upcoming against the Milwaukee Brewers beginning on Tuesday.

Alfaro has proven his toughness behind the dish and his power at the plate. One of the key components of the trade that sent J.T. Realmuto to Philadelphia prior to the start of Spring Training is paying dividends early this season.

Alfaro is a candidate to make the All-Star team, which would be his first appearance at the event.

Alfaro homered, doubled and collected a career-high four RBIs in the win and returned to the lineup after being dinged in the facemask by a foul tip on Friday night.

"“It feels good to help the team,” Alfaro said. “I’m just trying to go out there and compete, find a good pitch.”"

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The Marlins have now won 11 of their last 16 games. The Marlins have scored 9 runs in back to back games. They hadn’t done that since Sept. 22-23, 2017 in Arizona. Currently, the Marlins are have one less win than their record at this time last season.

The lineup and the rotation is clicking at the right time.

The nine home runs Alfaro has hit this season is third in the National League amongst all catchers behind  the Cubs’ Willson Contreras (12) and the Brewers’ Yasmani Grandal (12). He also came into this weekend only behind them in slugging.

"“He’s a guy who’s been energetic,” manager Don Mattingly said. “He’s excited to be here. You can clearly see it. And the ball just jumps off his bat. He has a pretty good swing. We’ve tried to square him up and get him going to the middle of the field, let him know that’s where he needs to be."

Alfaro also entered Sunday behind only those two among NL backstops in slugging (.469).