Cincinnati, OH – The Miami Marlins continued their recent surge on Monday night, defeating the Cincinnati Reds 5-1 in the opening game of a four-game series at Great American Ball Park. The victory was powered by a masterful pitching performance from right-hander Janson Junk and a significant home run from rookie catcher Agustín Ramírez, extending Miami’s impressive run to 11 wins in their last 14 games.
Junk Delivers Pitching Gem
Janson Junk was the undisputed star of the night on the mound for the Marlins. The right-hander delivered a stellar outing, holding the Reds offense largely in check over six effective innings. Junk permitted just one hit throughout his start, a testament to his control and command against Cincinnati’s lineup. The solitary hit surrendered by Junk came in the fifth inning, a leadoff single off the bat of Spencer Steer.
Junk navigated through six frames with poise, limiting baserunners and preventing the Reds from mounting any significant threat. His performance set a dominant tone for Miami, allowing the offense time to find its rhythm and eventually take control of the contest.
Ramírez Provides Offensive Punch
While Junk silenced the Reds bats, rookie catcher Agustín Ramírez provided the critical offensive catalyst for Miami. Ramírez made his presence felt both early and late in the game, showcasing his developing power and timely hitting ability.
In the fifth inning, with Miami trailing 1-0, Ramírez delivered a clutch double that drove in Xavier Edwards, who had also doubled earlier in the inning. This two-bagger knotted the score at one run apiece. Ramírez then came around to score the go-ahead run moments later on a single by Liam Hicks, giving the Marlins a 2-1 lead they would not relinquish.
Ramírez wasn’t finished impacting the game. In the seventh inning, he launched a massive 420-foot drive for his 14th home run of the season. This solo shot further extended Miami’s advantage, reinforcing his status as a significant power threat in the Marlins’ lineup.
Game Narrative and Scoring Details
The game began as a tight pitching duel, with both teams struggling to push runs across early.
The Cincinnati Reds managed to scratch across the game’s first run in the second inning. The scoring play came via an unearned run. Austin Hays and Gavin Lux drew walks, setting the stage for Tyler Stephenson, who hit a sacrifice fly that allowed Hays to score. This gave the Reds a 1-0 lead, albeit one that included an element not directly earned off the pitcher.
The score remained 1-0 in favor of Cincinnati until the fifth inning. The Miami offense finally broke through against Reds starter Brady Singer. Xavier Edwards initiated the rally with a double. He then scored on the aforementioned double by Agustín Ramírez. Ramírez subsequently scored on a single by Liam Hicks, completing the two-run inning for the Marlins and securing the 2-1 lead.
The Marlins added crucial insurance runs in the sixth inning, plating two more to extend their lead to 4-1. The runs came courtesy of an RBI groundout from Derek Hill and a sacrifice fly by Javier Sanoja, showcasing Miami’s ability to manufacture runs through various means.
Ramírez’s solo home run in the seventh inning pushed the score to its final margin of 5-1.
Pitching Performances and Bullpen
For the Cincinnati Reds, right-hander Brady Singer took the loss, dropping his record to 7-7 on the season. Singer pitched five innings, giving up two runs on the Marlins’ key hits in the fifth inning.
Following Janson Junk’s dominant six innings, the Miami bullpen effectively closed out the game. Lake Bachar pitched in relief, keeping the Reds off the scoreboard. Anthony Bender entered the game and finished things off, securing his second save of the season. Bender sealed the victory by striking out Austin Hays for the final out.
Marlins’ Impressive Form
The win marks the latest in a string of successful outings for the Miami Marlins. The team has found its stride over the past few weeks, evidenced by their record of 11 wins in their last 14 contests. This recent performance has injected significant momentum into the club as they navigate the current stretch of their schedule.
Looking Ahead to Game Two
The series continues on Tuesday night with the second game scheduled in Cincinnati. The pitching matchup features Miami Marlins right-hander Eury Pérez (1-2, 4.50 ERA) taking the mound against Cincinnati Reds right-hander Nick Martinez (6-8, 4.20 ERA). The Marlins will aim to build on their series-opening victory, while the Reds will look to bounce back and even the series.
