The Miami Marlins offense continues to show positive signs, and this time, the protagonist was a rookie who has started his journey in the Major Leagues with a steady pace. Agustin Ramirez, in only his second MLB game, went 3-3 with a base on balls and was an important piece in the 4-3 victory over the Cincinnati Reds.
With this result, Miami accumulates three consecutive victories and maintains the momentum in a season where every victory adds up, especially in a series that seemed even on paper. The contribution of the young Dominican has been vital, and the team will look to complete the sweep in the last game of the series.
A Debut That Leaves Its Mark
Agustin Ramirez is no fluke. Since his debut on Monday, the young catcher from the Dominican Republic has shown that he can contribute right away. He connected for two hits that day, and on Tuesday he took it a step further by registering three hits, including two doubles and a single. With five hits in his first two games, he has already set a Marlins franchise record.
This type of start is not common for a player who is just getting to know the Major League rhythm, which speaks to the confidence with which Ramirez is approaching each at-bat. His presence at the bottom of the order has been a relief for an offense that had been looking for more consistent production.
In addition to his contribution with the bat, the youngster was solid behind the plate, guiding his pitching staff well. His maturity on the diamond suggests that he is not just passing through, but has the talent to stay.
A Key Move in The Seventh Chapter
The decisive moment of the game came in the bottom of the seventh inning with the score tied. Xavier Edwards hit a grounder with two outs that looked manageable, but reliever Graham Ashcraft made an error on the throw to first, allowing Otto Lopez to score from the middle.
That detail was enough to break the tie and put the win on track. It wasn't a power hit, but it was a sign of how the Marlins are finding ways to score runs. Edwards not only made contact, but forced the defense to execute under pressure, and that ended up making the difference.
Ashcraft was charged with the loss, but beyond the failure, the credit goes to Miami for staying aggressive and attentive on the bases. These types of small but decisive plays can make the difference between a good run and an inconsistent season.
A Bullpen That Delivers AND Responds
Lake Bachar earned his first Big League victory after pitching a scoreless seventh inning with two strikeouts. It was a timely reliever, just when the game remained even and every pitch counted. Bachar showed poise and kept order for the offense to do its job afterwards.
Calvin Faucher later took over in the ninth inning and picked up the save without further complications. For the Marlins, having a closer who can control the closing of games is essential, especially in close games like this one.
Miami's relievers have been able to protect short leads in recent days, which is excellent news for the coaching staff. This type of stability is what can keep a team afloat at times when the offense is not producing in excess.
Reds Fight, But Still No Luck in Close Games
On the Cincinnati side, the effort was not enough. TJ Friedl was one of the few who managed to contribute with a single and a double. Elly de la Cruz and Noelvi Marte also got on base, but the offense in general fell short in key moments.
The Reds now have a 2-5 record in games decided by one run, which makes it clear that they are struggling to close out games. While they have shown flashes of good baseball, they need to be more effective when the game is on the line.
Jeimer Candelario pushed in a run, but went hitless, and that has also been part of the problem: the lack of consistency in the middle of the order. When there is no production from the most reliable hitters, winning becomes an uphill battle.
🎾🇪🇸 Get ready for the Spanish Masters 1000!
🌟 The stars of the ATP Tour arrive in Spain, for the Mutua Madrid Open. 🔥🏆 Alexander Zverev, Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, Taylor Fritz and Casper Ruud, are the stars in the 2025 edition. 🔝🚀
➡️ https://t.co/HCS0draMpV pic.twitter.com/XP58KqXEZT
- Betcris (@Betcris) April 22, 2025
Closing of the Series With Morale on High
Miami comes into the last game of the series with the motivation of having won the previous two and with the possibility of sweeping. This type of series is valuable in the schedule, especially when the opponent is going through a bad streak in close games.
Agustin Ramirez has been the big story of the last two days, but beyond his individual performance, the team has shown signs of overall improvement. If they can keep their focus, they could extend this hot streak and start climbing the table.
The Marlins are finding unexpected heroes, playing with energy and taking advantage of opportunities. And as long as that keeps happening, it won't be uncommon to see them win games like this one.
