Quantrill, Hicks spark Marlins in first series victory against Rays since 2018

Before taking the field for their rubber game against the Tampa Bay Rays early Sunday afternoon, Miami Marlins battery mates — and Ontario natives — Cal Quantrill and Liam Hicks were nervously anticipating Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs later that night.

Regardless of whether their long-suffering Maple Leafs would prevail against the Panthers, this would be a memorable day for them.

Quantrill threw an “immaculate inning” in the fourth — three strikeouts on nine pitches — during one of his best outings of the season, and Hicks ripped a two-run homer to right field in the sixth to continue his hot hitting as the Marlins beat the Rays 5-1 at loanDepot park.

Quantrill struck out Jonathan Aranda on three cutters, Christopher Morel on a sinker, curveball and fastbal, and Kameron Misner on a fastball and consecutive cutters to become the first MLB pitcher with an immaculate inning since Tampa Bay’s Ryan Pepiot on Sept. 18, 2024, against Boston.

The only other Marlins pitcher to achieve the feat: Jesus Sanchez, on Sept. 13, 1998, against Atlanta.

“As a guy who doesn’t strike out the most people in the world, it’s a pretty cool little collectible to put on the wall,” said Quantrill, noting that he didn’t immediately realize what he had accomplished.

“Well, Hicksy seemed more excited than usual. I kind of put two and two together when I was on my way in [to the dugout]. Cool accomplishment. The fact it comes with a win makes it even better.”

Said Marlins manager Clayton McCullough: “That’s the first one for me, seeing that, and only the second one in franchise history, so really cool for Cal.”

Quantrill allowed one run on two hits through five innings, striking out six and walking two, and Ronny Henriquez, Jesus Tinoco, Calvin Faucher and Anthony Bender each threw one scoreless inning in relief.

The Marlins’ first series win against the Rays since 2018 also featured the return of Otto Lopez, who belted a go-ahead three-run homer in the fourth inning after being reinstated from the injured list before the game.

Lopez, who missed more than two weeks with a Grade 2 right ankle sprain, committed an error in the third inning in his first game back following just one rehab appearance. But he more than made up for it in the fourth, launching Rays starter Shane Baz’s slider 401 feet to left center.

“I wanted to get back real quick, and what I did today makes me feel super good,” Lopez said. “I feel great [physically], and I will keep going and pushing myself to get better and better.”

“He came in and gave us a boost today,” McCullough said. “He got a breaking ball kind of close to him and put a good swing on it and that was a really big hit for us. …There’s still more offensively Otto can tap into. Otto’s got a really high floor as a player. So, to have him back is great, and then for him to come through like that even better.”

The Marlins might turn to Lopez to play some at shortstop, McCullough said, since Xavier Edwards was placed on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to May 15, on Sunday due to a left mid back strain. Javier Sanoja replaced Edwards in the lineup for the third consecutive game Sunday and remains the top option at short.

“The hope is he misses the minimal amount of games,” McCullough said of Edwards. “We hate to not have him at all, but if the cost is six, seven games, it feels that’s a better trade-off than to have him in a position where he’s not fully healthy and compromised.”

Meanwhile, the Marlins have an increasing offensive threat in Hicks, one of two talented rookie catchers on the roster. He went 2 for 4 on Sunday and nearly picked up a third RBI, but Eric Wagaman was thrown out at home trying to score from second on Hicks’ single to right in the second inning.

In his past five games, Hicks is 7 for 16 with three home runs and five RBI.

“The aggressiveness in his swing is very encouraging,” McCullough said. “You’re seeing him access the pull side more. Liam has terrific eyes. … He’s learning what his superpowers are. … Defensively, he’s improving as well. He’s coming into his own a little bit. We’re seeing an offensive version that is very intriguing, with plate discipline and showing the ability to do some more impact.”

Hicks has also established a connection with Quantrill, who he has caught eight of Quantrill’s nine starts this season.

“It’s good, we both speak Canadian, so there’s no language barrier,” Quantrill quipped. “Nah, I’m really proud of Hicksy. He’s worked hard and he’s earned his opportunity here. To top it off with a two-run homer is just a bonus. He called a good game and I think our prep has gotten better and better together. I’m happy to see another Canadian succeed.

“I could barely focus on the game,” he added. “I’m so excited for the Leafs tonight. Go Leafs, Go!”