Marlins carry momentum into matchup vs. Cubs

The Miami Marlins look to build on a dramatic comeback victory when they continue a three-game series against the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday.

Jesus Sanchez homered and delivered a walk-off two-run triple to give Miami an 8-7 win on Monday. The Marlins recorded their sixth walk-off victory of the season and won for the fourth time in their past five games.

“It was a lot of fun,” Miami manager Clayton McCullough said. “Over the course of the season, we’ve been in a lot of those situations, so you hope that each time prepares you for the next one. Our guys have shown all year long that they’re incredibly resilient.”

Miguel Amaya hit a three-run homer and a two-run double for Chicago, which had its three-game win streak snapped.

Miami rallied in the ninth inning on Monday against Cubs reliever Daniel Palencia. With two outs, Derek Hill hit a ground-rule double and Palencia walked Javier Sanoja on four pitches before Sanchez doubled to right field.

“(Palencia) probably got a little tired, honestly, as the inning went on,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. “He’s been working really hard and doing a heck of a job.”

After the game, Counsell announced that reliever Porter Hodge would be placed on the injured list due to a left oblique injury. Hodge has been a primary option in the late innings, along with Ryan Pressly and Drew Pomeranz.

The latter two pitched on Monday, and they could join Palencia as possible closing options. Pomeranz has yet to allow a run in 11 appearances (10 1/3 innings) for the Cubs since his contract was purchased from the Seattle Mariners’ organization on April 21.

Chicago will look to bounce back from the loss behind Jameson Taillon (2-3, 4.53 ERA), who will face Miami for the second straight start. He allowed three runs over six innings in a 3-1 home loss on Wednesday.

The home run ball has been an issue for the 33-year-old right-hander, who has given up a total of eight long balls across 16 innings over his past three starts.

“In big situations or to really good players, it’s just understanding where the slug is, where my safe areas are,” Taillon said. “I do think I have the pitch package to do it, and I have the awareness while I’m out there to do it. The last couple starts, I just haven’t done it.”

Taillon is 3-1 with a 1.63 ERA in five career starts against the Marlins, including 2-0 with a 0.54 ERA in three outings in Miami.

The Marlins will counter with Ryan Weathers (1-0, 1.80), who was reinstated from the injured list to make his season debut against the Cubs on Wednesday. The left-hander had been out due to a left flexor muscle strain sustained in March.

Weathers, 25, made a triumphant return by allowing one run on two hits over five innings while in Miami’s 3-1 victory. He left after throwing 76 pitches.

“He was exceptional, to come in with the first one and get through five with the number of pitches he had available,” McCullough said. “The velocity was terrific, some good changeups and the breaking ball.”

Seiya Suzuko homered last week against Weathers, who is 2-2 with a 6.75 ERA in six career games (five starts) versus the Cubs.

–Field Level Media