Deven Marrero, playing his second game of the season for his hometown team, homered, singled twice, stole a base and threw out a runner at the plate to lead the host Miami Marlins to a 9-3 win over the San Diego Padres on Sunday afternoon.
Padres third baseman Manny Machado, who like Marrero is a Miami native, hit his 17th homer of the season.
Marlins left fielder Lewis Brinson — another local who was born and raised in Fort Lauderdale — added a three-run homer as last-place Miami split the four-game series against playoff-contending San Diego.
Marrero, a 2012 first-round pick of the Boston Red Sox, had been in the minors but was recalled after injuries to infielders Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Jon Berti. Marrero, 30, got the start because Miami rested regular shortstop Miguel Rojas.
Marrero finished 3-for-4, and his only out came on a diving catch by Padres left fielder Jurickson Profar.
The homer was Marrero’s first in the majors since 2017. It was also his first hit as a member of the Marlins.
Miami’s first four runs were scored on four opposite-field hits, including the homers by Marrero and Brian Anderson to the corner in right. Anderson played just his second game since a two-month stay on the injured list due to a shoulder injury.
Reliever Anthony Bender (2-1) earned the win, allowing one run in two innings.
Yu Darvish (7-5) took the loss, allowing five hits, one walk and four runs with six strikeouts in five innings.
San Diego opened the scoring with an unearned run in the second inning. Tommy Pham hit a soft grounder and ended up on third when first baseman Jesus Aguilar missed the catch on a throw from Anderson at third. Pham scored on Eric Hosmer’s single just past a drawn-in infield.
Profar then doubled on a drive that one-hopped the wall in right center. Starling Marte, Miami’s center fielder, played it perfectly, relaying the ball to Marrero, whose one-hop throw to the plate cut down Hosmer.
After the homers by Marrero, Machado and Anderson tied the score 2-2, Miami grabbed a 4-2 lead in the fifth. Marrero beat out an infield single when Machado was nonchalant on his throw from third. Marrero stole second and scored on Magneuris Sierra’s RBI double.
It Sierra’s 79th game of the year and his first RBI.
The next batter, Marte, added an RBI single.
Miami broke the game open with a five-run sixth inning, featuring Sandy Leon’s two-run double and Brinson’s homer.
–Field Level Media