Hernandez's Late Hit Secures Marlins' Victory Over Rays

Jesús Sánchez delivered a powerful performance with a three-run homer and a two-run double, but it was Heriberto Hernandez's single in the 10th inning that clinched the game for the Miami Marlins, who triumphed over the Tampa Bay Rays 11-10 on Saturday, breaking a five-game losing streak.

Christopher Morel shone for the Rays, going 3 for 3 with two home runs, a double, and four RBIs, but his efforts were not enough to extend their four-game winning streak.

Morel's three-run homer off Ryan Weathers set the tone early, as Danny Jansen and Taylor Walls followed with back-to-back doubles, giving the Rays a commanding 4-0 lead in the second inning. Weathers, who is the son of former major league pitcher David Weathers, was removed after three innings due to precautionary measures following a head injury sustained during warmups.

In the third inning, Dan Myers and Nick Fortes reached base with singles against Taj Bradley. Xavier Edwards then drove in Myers with a one-out double, paving the way for Sánchez's fifth homer that tied the game at 4-4.

Morel responded with a double against reliever Ronny Henriquez, and Jansen hit his fifth homer just three pitches later, putting the Rays back in front at 6-4 in the fourth inning.

The Marlins erupted in the fifth inning, scoring seven runs as they batted around. Sánchez's two-run double gave Miami a 7-6 lead, followed by Liam Hicks doubling in two more runs. Myers then doubled in Hicks, extending the lead to 10-6 before José Caballero threw out Myers at home to end the inning.

Morel continued his impressive outing with his fifth homer in the sixth off reliever Tyler Phillips, and Walls added a two-run shot after Jansen's single, narrowing the gap to 10-9. Brandon Lowe's 13th home run in the seventh against reliever Anthony Bender tied the game at 10.

Bradley struggled on the mound, allowing seven runs on six hits over four innings. Mason Montgomery followed with three runs allowed on five hits in just one inning. Garrett Cleavinger (0-2) was responsible for Hernandez's game-winning hit.

Rookie Cade Gibson (1-3) secured his first win by closing out the game with two scoreless innings.

In a critical moment during the 10th, Edwards made a crucial play by throwing out mandatory runner Kameron Misner at home on a grounder to second by Caballero, preventing the Rays from tying the game.

The Marlins currently hold a team ERA of 4.99, ranking as the fourth-worst in Major League Baseball and only ahead of the Rockies (5.37) in the National League.

Looking ahead, Rays RHP Drew Rasmussen (5-4, 2.14) is set to start Sunday’s finale, while the Marlins have yet to announce their starting pitcher.