MIAMI — Breaking a lengthy series losing streak, the Colorado Rockies clinched a 3-2 victory over the Miami Marlins on Tuesday night, buoyed by Hunter Goodman’s home run spree. Goodman’s performance marked his third home run in just two games.
Struggling with a record of 11-50, Colorado, which holds the undesirable title of worst in the major leagues, achieved back-to-back wins for only the second time this season. Their first consecutive wins were captured against Atlanta on April 30 and San Francisco the following day. The Rockies now aim to sweep the series against the Marlins in their upcoming game.
Goodman showcased his power with his 10th home run of the year during the eighth inning, which contributed to halting their unfortunate run of 19 consecutive series losses this season. A day prior, Goodman hit two home runs in a 6-4 victory over the Marlins. Contributing further, he went 2 for 4 at bat, also achieving his 12th double of the season. Teammate Tyler Freeman impressed with three hits, while Jordan Beck contributed two.
Colorado equaled the score in the fifth inning thanks to Beck’s RBI single and a sacrifice fly from Thairo Estrada.
Victor Vodnik (1-1) secured the win after effective 1 1/3 innings of relief pitching. In the ninth inning, Seth Halvorsen adeptly managed three pinch hitters, obtaining his third save of the season.
The game concluded dramatically with Colorado’s center fielder, Brenton Doyle, making a decisive running catch at the wall to put an end to Heriberto Hernández’s batting effort.
Anthony Bender (1-4), on the mound for the Marlins, surrendered Goodman’s game-turning homer. Notably, the veteran right-hander last allowed a home run in August of the preceding year.
Chase Dollander returned to pitching post-injury and took the start for the Rockies. During his three innings and 59 pitches, he conceded RBI singles to Miami’s Jesús Sánchez and Kyle Stowers.
Jesús Sánchez was a standout for the Marlins, contributing two hits for a team that has now faced seven losses out of their last eight games.
Miami’s starting pitcher, Sandy Alcantara, matched his season-long outing with a six-inning performance. Despite his efforts, he did not earn a decision for the second consecutive game amidst a personal string of seven losses.
A pivotal moment occurred in the seventh inning for the Marlins as Xavier Edwards and Sánchez managed consecutive singles with two outs. Vodnik then entered, deftly quelling the potential rally by inducing a ground out from Agustín Ramírez.
Notably, Goodman has demonstrated superior performance on the road, with eight of his home runs occurring away from home.
Looking ahead, Colorado plans to send Kyle Freeland (0-8, 5.72 ERA) to face Miami’s Cal Quantrill (3-5, 5.84 ERA) in Wednesday’s concluding game of the series.