Joe Mack Scores Walk-Off Run in Marlins Win Over Orioles

MIAMI, FL – On the heels of a four-game losing streak, the Miami Marlins braced themselves because the last time they won, Max Meyer was on the hill. Liam Hicks set the tone for most of Miami’s offense with a two-run homer in the opening frame. Tied 3-3 in the ninth, Joe Mack scored the walk-off run on an error as the Marlins won 4-3 over the Baltimore Orioles.

New Ace in Town?

It’s safe to say Meyer has been the most dependable and consistent starter in Miami all season. His career has mostly been mired by ups and downs in between callups and injuries.

In 2026, the third overall pick of the 2020 MLB Draft is showing the flashes of potential the Marlins had hoped to see in him on the day they selected him.

Having already made his eighth start of the season, he’s quickly approaching his career high of 12 set in 2025. Meyer is easily on pace to shatter his stats from the previous two years.

During 2024, Meyer went 3-5 in 57 innings with a 5.68 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, and 46 strikeouts. In 11 starts, he surrendered 62 hits, 38 runs (36 earned), 14 home runs, and tossed 968 pitches.

Max Meyer followed up on last week's one-hitter with a terrific outing

5.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 K

Andrew Nardi takes over on the hill#Marlins #FightinFish pic.twitter.com/WaPMgQd7Og

— Ricardo Urrusuno (@RickScores) May 8, 2026

In 2025, he went 3-5 in 64.2 innings with a 4.73 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, and 68 strikeouts. He gave up 72 hits, 39 runs (34 earned), 12 home runs, and tossed 1,039 pitches.

This season, he is 2-0 with a 2.79 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 45 strikeouts in 42 innings. His turnaround includes allowing just 31 hits, 14 runs (13 earned), and two homers while throwing 684 pitches.

Opponents were hitting .276 against Meyer in both 2024 and 2025, while this season, they are averaging just .197. Meyer showed tonight that his one-hitter last Saturday was no fluke.

Currently, Meyer is tied with Eury Perez in strikeouts for the team lead, while he sits in first in earned run average and opponent’s batting average. Amongst starters, he’s tied with Janson Junk for the least number of runs allowed and has surrendered the least amount of hits and long balls.

Hits Came When Needed

The hits came for the Marlins when necessary. Hicks got things going for Miami with a two-run homer in the first. His 386-foot home run was his ninth of the season, and he moved to first in the major leagues with 34 RBI.

Bot 1st
Orioles 0 | Marlins 2

Liam Hicks crushes a two-run bomb for the #Marlins

The 386-footer is his ninth home run and 34th RBI of the season

He leads the #MLB in runs batted in now#FightinFish pic.twitter.com/FLBBb9uiss

— Ricardo Urrusuno (@RickScores) May 7, 2026

In the third, the Marlins were back at it again by scoring another run. With runners on the corners, Connor Norby singled past the infield to drive in Javier Sanoja, making it a 3-1 ballgame.

Things got stagnant until the eighth inning when Otto Lopez broke a hitless streak for the club in five innings. Xavier Edwards followed up with a hit, but then the next three hitters for Miami got out.

Bullpen Rebounds

They’ve been inconsistent of late, but the bullpen was dominant on the mound tonight. Andrew Nardi took over in the sixth and retired all three hitters, earning a strikeout.

Michael Petersen pitched in the seventh and retired the side, getting a strikeout as well. Josh Ekness was tested a bit, but he pulled through, allowing two hits, a walk, and a run in the eighth.

In the ninth, Calvin Faucher showed his reliability, allowing just one hit while striking out a hitter. He picked up the win, improving his record to 3-2.

Javier Sanoja Walk-Off

Heading into the final frame in a tied game and with one more chance to get something done, it was the Marlins’ game to lose. Two fan favorites, Kyle Stowers and Jakob Marsee, had the opportunity to make some noise, but both struggling hitters failed to come through.

Javier Sanoja hit a weak chopper to third on what surely seemed to end the inning into extras. That is, until Coby Mayo made a throwing error to first. By the time he made the throw, Mack was already rounding third base and attentively headed to home plate, scoring the winning run.

#Marlins win 4-3

Javier Sanoja reaches on base after a throwing error from third

Joe Mack attentively scores the winning run

Miami salvaged the last game of the series after losing four straight

They take on the Nationals to close out the homestand#FightinFish pic.twitter.com/9zRXJVHvrF

— Ricardo Urrusuno (@RickScores) May 8, 2026

Up Next

The Marlins continue their longest homestand of the series by welcoming the Washington Nationals for a three-game set. Miami’s #2 prospect, Robby Snelling, will make his highly anticipated MLB debut on the hill. First pitch starts at 7:10 pm.

About Post Author

Ricardo Urrusuno

He’s a diehard 305 native who roots for his hometown teams in the good, the bad, and the ugly. Recently, he graduated from FIU with an MBA, but now he’s a Lemonhead covering UM basketball. Known to be anywhere and everywhere, you may catch him at a Miami sporting event.

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