Miami Marlins beat Philadelphia Phillies in extra innings to take series, cap road trip

The Miami Marlins were waiting for moments like this, games when the whole team does its job and shows that it can be competitive with teams that are supposed to be among the league’s best.

Wednesday was the latest example of such outings, with the Marlins beating the Philadelphia Phillies 3-2 in 10 innings to take the series at Citizens Bank Park. The finale came on the heels of the Marlins being shelled 15-3 on Monday in the series opener before bouncing back for an 8-4 win on Tuesday to even the series.

Miami is now 6-7 on the season and went 3-3 on this road trip that began with a 1-2 outing against the New York Mets. The Phillies fall to 4-8.

“They’re starting to believe that they can play with anybody,” first-year Marlins manager Skip Schumaker said. “There’s a lot of good guys in there that have won before and guys that are learning how to win.”

The team saw contributions from multiple players Wednesday.

Bryan De La Cruz drove in two, opening scoring with an RBI single in the third and driving in the go-ahead run with a groundball single down the first-base line and into right field in the 10th. De La Cruz’s seven RBI are third on the team.

“Love his at-bats lately,” Schumaker said. “He gives himself a chance. It’s a different lineup when he’s hot.”

Jorge Soler tied the game in the eighth with a solo home run, sending a 99.9 mph Jose Alvarado sinker a projected 417 feet to center field. It was Soler’s team-leading fourth home run of the season and his second extra-base hit of the game. Soler also hit a double in the first inning.

“This means a lot to me and means a lot for the team,” Soler said. “I’ve been looking for that consistency. Sometimes you don’t always get the results you want and that you’re looking for, but I’m happy to help the team.”

Edward Cabrera, after two rough starts to begin the season, held the Phillies to two runs on seven hits and just one walk while striking out four.

It was a needed step in the right direction after only pitching 6 2/3 innings through his first two starts, outings in which he walked a combined 13 batters.

Pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre Jr. gave Cabrera a big hug in the dugout after the outing.

“He told me ‘That’s you right there,’” Cabrera said. “The one out there today is the one he’s used to seeing. Just keep working hard and keep being me.”

And Miami’s bullpen followed Cabrera with five scoreless innings. Tanner Scott, Andrew Nardi and Dylan Floro each threw a scoreless inning before A.J. Puk held the Phillies off the scoreboard in the ninth and 10th.

“A good team effort,” Puk said.

Injury updates

First baseman/designated hitter Garrett Cooper did not play Wednesday after leaving Tuesday’s game with upper left leg soreness. Yuli Gurriel started his fourth consecutive game at first base. Outfielder Avisail Garcia, who left Sunday’s game against the Mets with left hamstring soreness, sat his third consecutive game.

Schumaker said both players were available to pinch-hit if needed.

Marlins sign Archie Bradley

The Marlins signed right-handed pitcher Archie Bradley to a minor-league deal. Bradley is expected to report to extended spring training in Jupiter before being assigned to an affiliate.

Bradley, 30, has a career 3.92 ERA over eight MLB seasons spent with the Arizona Diamondbacks (2015-2020), Cincinnati Reds (2020), Philadelphia Phillies (2021) and Los Angeles Angels (2022). He has 480 career strikeouts against 198 walks over 481 2/3 innings and 32 career saves, 18 of which came in 2019.

Up next

After an off day Thursday, the Marlins will play their next six games at home.

It starts with a three-game series with the Arizona Diamondbacks from Friday to Sunday before hosting the San Francisco Giants Monday to Wednesday.

For the Diamondbacks series, the projected starting pitching matchups are Trevor Rogers (0-2, 6.00 ERA) against Madison Bumgarner (0-1, 7.27) on Friday, Braxton Garrett (0-0, 4.70) against Ryne Nelson (1-0, 4.91) on Saturday and Sandy Alcantara (1-1, 5.79) against Zac Gallen (1-1, 4.58) on Sunday.