Marlins defeat Dodgers/ Sánchez shines/ Ohtani homers/ Miami vs Los Angeles MLB/ Newslooks/ MIAMI/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Jesús Sánchez drove in three runs and went 5-for-5 as the Miami Marlins defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 11-9. Shohei Ohtani hit his 48th home run, but it wasn’t enough to stop the Marlins. Ohtani continues his pursuit of MLB history as the first player to hit 50 homers and steal 50 bases in a season.
Marlins Defeat Dodgers Behind Sánchez’s Big Night: Quick Looks
- Jesús Sánchez: Went 5-for-5 with two doubles and three RBIs, leading Miami’s offense.
- Shohei Ohtani: Hit his 48th homer but fell short of stealing a base, keeping his tally at 48 homers and 48 stolen bases.
- Late Push: Jake Burger’s two-run homer in the eighth gave Miami a cushion, with Max Muncy closing the gap to two in the ninth.
- Dodgers’ Struggles: Starter Bobby Miller gave up four runs in the first two innings, and the Dodgers couldn’t recover despite Ohtani’s long ball.
Marlins Top Dodgers 11-9 as Jesús Sánchez Shines, Ohtani Homers
Deep Look:
Jesús Sánchez had a night to remember, going 5-for-5 and driving in three runs as the Miami Marlins outslugged the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers 11-9 on Tuesday night. The Marlins’ offense clicked early, and Sánchez was at the heart of it, delivering clutch hits that kept Miami ahead throughout the game.
Shohei Ohtani, chasing MLB history, added more excitement to the contest with his 48th home run of the season, a two-run blast in the third inning. Ohtani is aiming to become the first player in league history to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a single season. However, despite the homer, he remains at 48 stolen bases and hasn’t stolen a base in five games. Fans at loanDepot Park chanted his name throughout the evening, eagerly awaiting each of his at-bats. “No pressure, just trying to maintain quality at-bats regardless of the situation,” Ohtani said through an interpreter.
For the Marlins, Jake Burger’s two-run homer in the eighth inning gave the team a critical cushion, extending their lead to 11-7. The insurance runs proved vital as Max Muncy doubled in two runs off Jesús Tinoco in the ninth to bring the Dodgers within two. However, Miami held on for the win.
Sánchez’s offensive surge was complemented by a well-rounded performance from the Marlins lineup. Connor Norby scored four runs, becoming the first Marlins player this season to achieve that feat. Norby went 2-for-3 with a single, double, and two walks, while Kyle Stowers chipped in with an RBI triple in the fourth and a run-scoring double in the sixth.
The Dodgers’ Max Muncy had a solid night as well, contributing a run-scoring single and a stolen base in addition to his late two-run double. However, the Dodgers’ pitching struggled from the outset. Starter Bobby Miller was knocked out after giving up four runs in just 2 2/3 innings, allowing seven hits, one walk, and two strikeouts. Reliever Michael Grove (4-4) took the loss after surrendering the go-ahead RBI double to Sánchez in the fourth inning.
Marlins starter Darren McCaughan had his own share of difficulties, giving up six hits and five runs in 3 2/3 innings. He surrendered a towering 402-foot home run to Ohtani in the third, as well as a solo shot to Miguel Rojas in the fourth that tied the game at 5-5. Marlins manager Skip Schumaker praised Ohtani’s power but acknowledged the challenge of facing such a dangerous hitter. “I don’t want to see him at the plate, ever,” Schumaker said. “We made some really good pitches… He hit one a long way. He’s hit a lot of them a long way this year.”
Despite the Dodgers’ firepower, the Marlins never relinquished their lead after Sánchez’s double and Stowers’ triple in the fourth. Miami’s bullpen, anchored by Anthony Veneziano’s first major league win, managed to hold on. Veneziano struck out two and allowed only one hit over 1 1/3 innings of relief. Burger’s late home run was crucial in helping the Marlins stave off a Dodgers comeback.
Ohtani’s quest to become the first player to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases continues. Despite his three strikeouts on the night, his presence at the plate remains a looming threat for opposing pitchers. However, there is still uncertainty about whether he will pitch in the postseason. Ohtani, who hasn’t pitched this season due to elbow surgery, hinted that discussions about his postseason pitching role have yet to take place. “There was no conversation… But we’re going to have a meeting back in LA to discuss the overall rehab progression,” Ohtani said.
Trainer’s Room:
- Dodgers: Manager Dave Roberts said RHP Tony Gonsolin will make another rehab start soon and could rejoin the team if his recovery goes well. Gonsolin has been sidelined following Tommy John surgery.
- Marlins: RHP Sandy Alcantara threw his first live batting practice session since undergoing Tommy John surgery in October. LHP Braxton Garrett allowed three hits over five innings in a start for Triple-A Jacksonville.
Up Next:
- Dodgers: RHP Landon Knack (2-4, 3.70 ERA) will start the second game of the series for the Dodgers.
- Marlins: LHP Ryan Weathers (3-5, 3.55 ERA) will take the mound for Miami in game two.
