Miami Marlins use massive 8th Inning to defeat Diamondbacks 9-3

The Miami Marlins got back on their winning ways on Tuesday night as they defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks 9-3 in the series opener inside Marlins Park.

The Miami Marlins needed a win badly as soon as possible. Losers in seven of their last ten, the Marlins returned him after a 10-game, 3-city road trip needing to break recent trends. As you’ve read by now, the Marlins did just that on Tuesday night.

Miami took the field behind starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara (1-2, 3.19 ERA), who was opposed by Diamondbacks starter Riley Smith (1-1, 4.76 ERA).

Alcantara was dominant early-on as he fired four straight scoreless innings to start, combined with the Marlins taking an early 3-0 lead due to a 3-run HR from returning 3B Brian Anderson. The Diamondbacks later added two runs in the fifth and sixth innings to make it a 3-2 game, and then tied the game with a Eduardo Escobar RBI single in the eighth.

It was a massive eighth inning for the Miami Marlins.

Yes, the Diamondbacks did tie the game in the eighth, but the contributions Miami received in-particular from reliever Richard Bleier were massive. After Arizona tied the game in the top of the eighth, Bleier came in with the bases-loaded to strike out three consecutive batters to get the Marlins out of a massive jam.

The Marlins later claimed the lead due to back-to-back RBI singles from Jesus Aguilar and Corey Dickerson, and then blew-it wide open with a 3-run HR from Lewis Brinson. The Marlins scored six runs in the Bottom of the 8th, combined with Adam Cimber closing the door in the ninth to give the Marlins a 9-3 victory.

This was a big win for the Marlins, not only because it was much-needed, but because of the contributions they received. Anderson’s return was big for this club, while contributions from Miguel Rojas, Brinson, and Bleier played a massive role tonight.

The Marlins will return to the field on Wednesday night against the Diamondbacks with first pitch scheduled for 6:40 pm ET. The Marlins probable starter is Pablo Lopez (0-2, 2.34 ERA), while the Diamondbacks will send Luke Weaver (1-2, 4.91 ERA) to the mound.