Marlins’ Stunning Comeback Win Shapes Playoff Hopes

It's one thing to score one or two runs late in the game to tie it or grab the lead. What Miami did was something we haven't seen in fifteen years. The Marlins scored six runs in the top of the ninth inning against the Nationals after trailing 2-0.

It's only the third time they've pulled this off in their franchise history.

Miami was on its way to losing its third straight game to the Nationals. The way this team fought in the ninth inning should give them plenty of fuel to win not only tonight's game, but to start getting hot at the right time.

If there's anyone in the Marlins clubhouse who should be a vocal leader, then now is the time for someone to speak and be the strong voice to remind the team that they are good enough to play in October.

How about Otto Lopez? As good as he's been this year, the big insurance two-run home run broke his 43-game homerless drought. It must have felt great to take that huge weight off his shoulders finally.

Lopez is also part of an interesting list. He's 13th in Marlins history with 11.8 bWAR as a position player, having just passed Charles Johnson.

Joe Mack and Jakob Marsee were also heroes in this game. Both young guys provided RBIs for Miami. Dax Fulton earned the win. It was the first one of the season for him.

The Marlins hitters didn’t have a great day at the plate - striking out nine times, Heriberto Hernandez struck out three times and he's their home run leader. 

As ugly as those first eight innings were, there's a saying, "save the best for last," and that's what the team did. Miami will play the Nationals on Monday to wrap up their four-game series. Ryan Guston will take the ball for the Marlins. 

After Monday, the Marlins will head to Kansas City for a three-game series. Miami must either take two or sweep the Royals. That's a series they can't afford to slip up. The offense must dominate the Royals' pitching.