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

TORONTO — — Dane Myers hit a three-run homer and finished with a career-high five RBI, Griffin Conine had three hits and an RBI and the Miami Marlins claimed a series against Toronto for the first time since 2009 with an 8-1 victory over the Blue Jays on Saturday.

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

Bench coach Luis Urueta led the Marlins in the penultimate game of the season after manager Skip Schumaker returned home to California due to a family medical issue.

“I know he was watching,” said Urueta, who will also host the season finale on Sunday.

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

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

Myers said it was difficult being on the sidelines while injured.

“It was tough sitting in the hotel watching the boys play,” he said. “I think the mental rehab was a little bit harder 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 strikes.”

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

Miami was winless in its past 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 are 7-16 in September.

Toronto slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. went 0-for-4 with a strikeout and fell one hit shy of 200. Manager John Schneider said Guerrero could start Sunday.

Blue Jays starter Yariel Rodríguez (1-8) ended his rookie season by losing his fifth straight decision.

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

The 27-year-old right-hander gave up 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 inning, and both scored on two-out RBI hits by Jonah Bride and Conine.

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

Myers homered off Génesis Cabrera in the eighth, his third of the season.

ROSTER MOVES

Blue Jays: Toronto recalled RHP Nick Robertson from Triple-A Buffalo and brought in LHP Easton Lucas for the Spring Training Complex.

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

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