Four-Run Ninth Propels Marlins To Win

The Miami Marlins scored four runs in the ninth inning off Jonathan Papelbon of the Philadelphia Phillies for a 5-4 win on Sunday.

Miami entered the ninth looking like a team that would lose its fifth straight game. Trailing by three and facing a good closer in Papelbon, the Marlins mounted an unlikely comeback. When the dust settled, the Marlins turned a three-run deficit into a one-run lead.

The first run in the ninth scored when Jordany Valdespin grounded out to bring home J.T. Realmuto who was at third base. A pair of run-scoring singles from Christian Yelich and Justin Bour tied up the game at four. Then with Marcell Ozuna at the plate, Papelbon uncorked a wild pitch that plated Yelich with the go-ahead run.

In the bottom of the ninth, the first two Philadelphia hitters reached against Steve Cishek but the closer struck out the next three. By striking out the side, Cishek preserved the win and also picked up his 36th save of the year.

The game was started by Tom Koehler who had a quality start but was on the losing end until the comeback in the ninth. Koehler allowed a pair of earned runs on seven hits in his seven innings of work.

The win went to Anthony DeSclafani who pitched during in the eighth inning and only retired one hitter. He was the pitcher of record though heading into the final frame and the win was his second as a big leaguer.

Earlier in the game, Enrique Hernandez homered for the second time this year as he made a rare start for Miami. Hernandez who was acquired at the trade deadline may see a few more starts the rest of the way.