The Miami Marlins’ losing streak has reached historical proportions.
If the Marlins lose again on Sunday afternoon in the finale of their three-game series against the visiting San Diego Padres, Miami will have dropped 12 consecutive games, the longest skid in team history.
“It’s almost like we’re playing just good enough not to win,” Miami manager Clayton McCullough said after a 7-2 loss to the Padres on Saturday night, marking the fourth time in team history the Marlins have lost 11 straight games, and the first time since 2011.
Miami lost its previous 10 games by three runs or less, but the Padres tacked on five runs in the final three innings on Saturday to run away with their second straight win.
“Every game is kind of its own chapter in a story,” McCullough said. “We had some chances early the last couple of days, first inning with some guys on, and you’re not able to cash in. … We just haven’t done enough within these games to find a way to get on top and to win, so we’re all in this together.”
The Marlins had won six straight before the skid began, giving them a 26-8 record from June 1 to July 9, the best in baseball.
“This storm cloud, or whatever these rough seas that we’re navigating right now, they’ll end,” McCullough said. “I wish I had a crystal ball to know when, but they will, and still a ton of confidence in everyone here that we’ll get this thing turned in a different direction.”
Eury Perez, the hottest pitcher for the Marlins, gave them seven solid innings on Saturday but couldn’t end the skid. The right-hander allowed three runs and seven hits, striking out two and walking one on a career-high 104 pitches.
Miami right-hander Janson Junk (4-6, 5.09 ERA) will get his chance on Sunday in his first-ever appearance against San Diego.
Right-hander Walker Buehler (6-5, 5.23) will start for the Padres, who will try to secure their first series sweep since June 22-24 against the Atlanta Braves.
Buehler is coming off a win against the Atlanta Braves in his last outing, holding them to two runs and two hits in 5 2/3 innings of an 8-3 road victory on Tuesday.
“He’s been throwing the ball well all year for us,” Padres third baseman Manny Machado said of Buehler. “He just needs to continue doing what he’s always done his entire career.”
Buehler will try to pick up a San Diego team that had a hot start this season, climbing as high as 11 games above .500 in May before hitting a rut.
The Padres’ 4-2 win in the series opener on Friday prevented them from falling four games under .500 for the first time this season.
“There has never been a question of how talented this team is,” Buehler said after his last start. “And as cold as we’ve been on, kind of, both sides of the ball and lack of success, I think talent means that you can get equally as hot. … When you have talent, you have a chance.”
Buehler is 2-1 with a 3.86 ERA in seven career starts against Miami.
–Field Level Media
