Rookie Ramirez delivers in the clutch with two-run single as the Marlins edge Brewers
Bases loaded with no outs.
The Miami Marlins had been perfectly positioned to break a tie with the Brewers in the bottom of the eighth inning after a single by Dane Myers, another hit by Javier Sanoja, and a beautifully executed bunt by Xavier Edwards.
Yet here they were now with two outs, the same runners standing at each base, in danger of wasting their chance.
Agustín Ramírez refused to let it happen.
Facing two strikes, Ramírez stroked a single off reliever Jared Koenig into left field, bringing home two runs.
Lake Bachar then locked down his first career save as the Marlins beat the Brewers 4-2 at loanDepot park on Saturday, setting up a rubber game Sunday for a chance to claim their fifth series in a row.
“We’ve seen the maturity with Gus throughout this season,” said Marlins’ manager Clayton McCullough. “While he’s a rookie, he’s been in a lot of big spots. He chased the first pitch, but to be able to collect yourself… hit of the day for us. Real credit to Gus and his ability to stay in the moment, control his heartbeat, and put together a great at-bat.
“A lot of emotion in this at-bat because I wanted a hit,” Ramírez said. “At a point like that you have to calm down and just put the pressure on the pitcher instead of you. … It’s amazing. Everybody’s working hard, and I’m happy for everybody.”
As much as Ramírez, this win belonged to the Marlins’ bullpen. Five guys — Josh Simpson, Tyler Phillips, Calvin Faucher, Ronny Henriquez, and Bachar — combined for twice as many strikeouts (six) as hits allowed (three) in 5 1/3 shutout innings.
“We trust in their ability to go get outs when they’re called upon,” McCullough said.
“It’s been cool to see just passing the baton on to the next guy and doing your job and picking up the guy in front of you,” said Simpson, who gave up one hit and fanned two in 1 2/3 innings.
“We’re playing a lot of matchups. We have a lot of guys that can go long and kind of mix it up,” Bachar said. “We’re helping each other out. When we get our name called, we know we have a job to do, no matter what inning, situation, how long we go out for.”
Saturday’s save was especially meaningful for the 30-year-old Bachar, who played college baseball and football at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, about an hour and half drive from Milwaukee.
“It means a lot. It’s been a long career, so it was really cool to have that opportunity,” said Bachar, who secured the ball from the final out. “It was a lot of fun [to pitch the ninth].”
Marlins’ starter Cal Quantrill was pulled Saturday after just 3 2/3 innings — his shortest outing since May 24, when he lasted 3 1/3 against the Angels. Quantrill gave up two runs on six hits and struck out six, including the final batter he faced, Joey Ortiz, with the bases loaded and one out. Afterward, he said he thought he “threw the ball well” despite the short stint.
Lefty Josh Simpson relieved Quantrill and got Sal Frelick to fly out on his second pitch, ending the threat.
“That was a potential turning point in the game,” McCullough said. “Josh coming in there on the lefty, not an easy spot to be in, but he got a big out for us there, and then the ability to go back out there and go another one-plus inning and turn it over to Phillips and the rest of the guys was a big part of that game. Josh was outstanding.”
“I was excited to be in that spot and have that opportunity,” Simpson said. “I was trying to get in a zone early and attack right away. If they’re beating me, they’re beating me with my best stuff, not getting any free passes.”
Quantrill’s troublesome fourth inning started with a double from Jackson Chourio. Rhys Hoskins followed with a walk, and back-to-back singles to center by Isaac Collins and Caleb Durbin knotted the score.
The Marlins seized a 2-1 lead in the second inning.
Kyle Stowers led off with his team-leading 16th home run — a 406-foot blast into the right-field seats off Brewers starter Chad Patrick. It marked the third time in five games this homestand that Stowers, the Marlins’ leading All-Star Game candidate, homered to right in the second inning.
Eric Wagaman then doubled to left, and Liam Hicks followed with a double to left center to drive Wagaman home.
The Brewers went 1-0 in the second when Hoskins’ triple got past center fielder Myers, who missed on a diving catch attempt, and Chourio scored.
▪ Wagaman is the fourth rookie in franchise history to record at least 20 doubles before the All-Star Break, joining Brian Anderson (23 in 2018), Gaby Sanchez (21 in 2010) and Mike Jacobs (24 in 2006). His 20 doubles lead the team and all MLB rookies this season.
▪ Henriquez struck out two in the eighth to reach 60 on the season, becoming just the third Marlins reliever to hit that mark before the All-Star break, along with Tanner Scott (64 in 2023) and Kyle Barraclough (60 in 2016).
This story was originally published July 5, 2025 at 9:41 PM.