Marlins bullpen collapses again as losing streak reaches franchise-record 12
The Miami Marlins have sunk to uncharted depths.
Sunday’s 5-3 loss to the San Diego Padres marked the team’s 12th consecutive defeat, setting a franchise record.
“Does anybody feel good? Certainly not,” Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said after the loss. “But to come in here each day and cry about it, make excuses, I don’t know what that’s going to do.”
A team less than a month removed from blowing expectations out of the water is now drowning.
Once firmly entrenched in the wild-card race after a historic June, the Marlins now face a sobering reality: no team with a 12-game losing streak has ever reached the postseason, with the 2017 Dodgers and 1982 Braves owning the longest skids by playoff teams at 11 games.
At a quick glance, much of what fueled that run still appears intact. Otto Lopez still owns the best batting average in baseball, and Miami’s starters continue to piece together respectable outings.
But, as Sunday and the games before it have displayed, that hasn’t been enough to prevent the Marlins from unraveling late.
Since the losing streak began, the Marlins’ bullpen has repeatedly undone the work performed ahead of it. According to Fish On First’s Alex Crutchik, Miami has been outscored 24-10 after the seventh inning during the skid.
Right-hander Janson Junk turned in an encouraging outing as he continues to work his way back from injury, allowing one run over 4 2/3 innings.
“The biggest thing for me was having better intentionality,” Junk said. “Getting back to those roots, that’s why I’m good. I felt like I was like 90% there, but the last 10% is about execution.”
Miami’s offense also came out strong, taking a 3-1 lead into the eighth inning with help from a Kyle Stowers home run and Graham Pauley RBI single.
But just when it appeared the Marlins might be spared from setting the undesirable franchise record, reliever Lake Bachar surrendered two home runs in the top of the eighth inning, allowing San Diego to take a 4-3 lead.
The Padres added another run before the inning ended, completing a four-run burst that shot down Miami’s best opportunity to end the streak.
Lack of relief
While Sunday was Bachar’s turn to falter, several relievers have already taken turns letting games slip away.
Pete Fairbanks surrendered a three-run walk-off home run when Miami was three outs from ending the streak, Tyler Zuber allowed a go-ahead two-run homer Friday, Dax Fulton gave up three runs in the eighth inning Saturday and Bachar followed by allowing four Sunday.
When right-hander Eury Pérez delivered seven perfect innings against the Athletics earlier this month, Bachar also nearly let the game slip away, allowing five runs without recording an out in the eighth.
Since Miami’s 12-game losing skid began on July 10, the Marlins’ bullpen has posted the fifth-worst ERA in baseball (5.45).
When asked whether he had considered reshuffling how the Marlins deploy their bullpen, McCullough indicated that the team’s current relievers will continue to receive opportunities in different situations.
“I don’t think so. I think the guys that we have there are going to continue to be used,” McCullough said. “You know, who you see pitch in the eighth inning one day might pitch in the sixth inning.”
Reliever Michael Petersen (2.84 ERA), one of Miami’s most consistent arms out of the bullpen, briefly took the mound after Junk before exiting Sunday’s game with a right forearm contusion after being struck by a batted ball. X-rays were negative.
What’s next
The Marlins will attempt to end their franchise-record 12-game losing streak when they open a three-game home series against the Philadelphia Phillies at 6:40 p.m. Monday.
Right-hander Tyler Phillips (2-5, 3.52 ERA) is scheduled to start for Miami opposite Phillies ace Zack Wheeler (10-2, 2.16 ERA).
This story was originally published July 26, 2026 at 5:24 PM with the headline "Marlins bullpen collapses again as losing streak reaches franchise-record 12."