The Miami Marlins arrived at Monday night’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies carrying the weight of a 12-game losing streak, and the matchup offered little reason for optimism. Standing on the mound for Philadelphia was Zack Wheeler, one of the National League’s most reliable starters. At the same time, the Phillies also held the advantage of having elite closer Jhoan Duran available to protect a late lead. For much of the night, it appeared the Marlins’ slide would continue.
Instead, Miami produced one of its most dramatic victories of the season.
Duran’s Dominance Comes to an End
The game featured momentum swings throughout before the Phillies entered the bottom of the ninth inning with a 7-5 lead. Philadelphia turned to Duran, who had been nearly untouchable for most of the year. Entering the game, the right-hander owned a sparkling 1.29 ERA and had not allowed a run since June 9. He had surrendered multiple runs only once all season, making him one of baseball’s most dependable late-inning relievers.
That reputation did not hold up on Monday.
Duran struggled from the moment he took the mound, recording only one out while giving up five hits and three earned runs. The rough outing pushed his ERA from 1.29 to 2.04 and opened the door for a comeback that seemed highly unlikely only moments earlier.
Hernandez and Conine Deliver
The Marlins took full advantage.
With runners aboard, Heriberto Hernandez delivered the biggest hit of the inning to that point, lining a two-run single that erased the deficit and tied the game at 7-7. Suddenly, the atmosphere shifted completely as Miami sensed an opportunity to end its frustrating losing streak.
Just two batters later, Griffin Conine completed the rally. His walk-off hit brought home the winning run, giving the Marlins an 8-7 victory and sending the home crowd into celebration after nearly two weeks without a win.
What the Win Means for Marlins
The dramatic finish provided a memorable moment for a club that has endured a difficult stretch, but it may not significantly alter the broader picture. Despite the emotional victory, Miami remains 53-54 and sits fourth in the National League East. With the Aug. 3 MLB trade deadline approaching, the Marlins are still widely viewed as potential sellers rather than legitimate postseason contenders.
Even so, Monday’s comeback served as a reminder that the gap between Miami and more established clubs may not be as large as its recent losing streak suggested. Rallying against one of the league’s top closers after staring down a late two-run deficit demonstrated resilience that had been missing during the skid. Whether it changes the organization’s plans remains to be seen, but for one night, the Marlins finally found a way to turn disappointment into celebration.
