Marlins 8-1 Blue Jays (September 28, 2024) Game Recap

TORONTO – Dane Myers hit a three-run home run and finished the game with a career-best RBI, Griffin Conine had three hits and an RBI and the Miami Marlins won a series against 8-1 for the first time since 2009 Toronto win over the Blue Jays on Saturday.

Miami’s Jesús Sánchez scored three runs for the second straight game.

Backup coach Luis Urueta oversaw the Marlins in their penultimate game of the season after manager Skip Schumaker returned to California due to his family’s health issues.

“I know he was watching,” said Urueta, who will also referee Sunday’s season finale.

Myers was activated from the 60-day injured list on Tuesday. He broke his left ankle when he kicked a door in frustration after being ejected from the stadium in a 10-6 loss at Cincinnati on July 13.

“I’m so happy for him, especially with what he’s been through in the last two months,” Urueta said. “To come here today and do what he did is pretty cool.”

Myers said it was tough being on the sidelines injured.

“Sitting in the hotel and watching the boys play was hard,” he said. “I think the mental rehab was a little more difficult than the physical rehab.”

Xzavion Curry (2-2) allowed one run and two hits in five innings in his first start with Miami, which won its third straight.

“Excellent job,” Urueta said of Curry. “He attacked the zone and threw shots.”

Darren McCaughan pitched the final four innings and earned his second save in two chances.

Miami had gone winless in its last eight series against Toronto, losing six and splitting two. The Marlins won a three-game road series against the Blue Jays in June 2009.

Nathan Lukes hit his first career home run for the Blue Jays – a solo shot in the first inning – but Toronto lost for the ninth time in 11 games. The Blue Jays range in age from 7 to 16 in September.

Toronto slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. went 0 for 4 with one strikeout, one hit shy of 200. Manager John Schneider said Guerrero could take the lead on Sunday.

Blue Jays starter Yariel Rodríguez (1-8) ended his rookie season with a fifth straight decision loss.

“It’s not exactly the year I really wanted,” Rodríguez said through a translator. “I know I can be better.”

The 27-year-old right-hander allowed three runs and four hits in five-plus innings. He walked two and struck out five.

Both of Rodríguez’s walks came in the first and both scored on two RBI hits from Jonah Bride and Conine.

Lukes cut the deficit in half by hitting Curry with a home run in the bottom of the inning, but Miami added three more in the sixth inning. Myers hit a bases-loaded double off the top of the right field wall that tracked reliever Brendon Little before Jhonny Pereda added an RBI single off Erik Swanson.

Myers met Génesis Cabrera in the eighth game, his third of the season.

ROSTER MOVES

Blue Jays: Toronto has recalled RHP Nick Robertson from Triple-A Buffalo and optioned LHP Easton Lucas to the Spring Training Complex.

NEXT

LHP Ryan Weathers (4-6, 3.81 ERA) is expected to start for Miami in Sunday’s season finale. The Blue Jays had not named a starter.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb