NEW YORK 每 One thing can be said about the 2025 Marlins: They battle all the time. That was the case when they faced the Mets on Monday night at Citi Field. However, they fell short, 2-0.
Seven of the Marlins＊ first 10 games have been decided by two or fewer runs, and Miami is 4-3 in those games.
※I think we expected to be competitive," manager Clayton McCullough said after the game. ※Our record isn＊t outstanding, but we expected to be in a lot of close games.
※We have talent on our team. I＊m proud of the way these guys continue to show up each day and continue to go out and compete. We found ourselves in a lot of close games as we were tonight. You know what? The next one we are in, we look to be on the right side of it.§
It was a game that saw right-hander Valente Bellozo make a spot start for Miami, and he was fully aware of the scouting report when it came to dealing with the Mets: Make sure the top of the lineup, featuring Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto, doesn＊t get on base.
It didn＊t work in the third inning. Lindor led off with an infield single, and he came home on a double by Soto to give New York a 1-0 lead. It turned out to be the game-winner.
※The top of the lineup 每 Lindor, Soto 每 those guys are elite. ＃ That＊s the ballgame. The Mets threw really [well], too,§ Bellozo said.
It was Bellozo＊s counterpart, Kodai Senga, who ended up with the victory by pitching five scoreless innings. However, the Marlins had Senga on the ropes during the early part of the game.
Take the first inning: Miami had runners on first and second without no outs. But after Otto Lopez hit into a forceout to put runners on first and third, Lopez was thrown out trying to steal second. A few minutes later, it looked like the Marlins were back in business after Matt Mervis drew a walk to get two runners on base. But Eric Wagaman grounded out to first baseman Pete Alonso to end the threat.
Miami＊s next chance to score off Senga came three innings later. The Marlins had runners on first and second with one out, but Dane Myers hit into a double play to end the inning. The Marlins ended up going 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position.
※[Senga] mixed his pitches, and he put some pitches in the right spots,§ said Marlins shortstop Xavier Edwards, who went 2-for-3. ※We spread out hits today, but we couldn＊t get that timely hit it seemed like.§
It was 42 degrees at game time, but the Marlins didn＊t use the weather as an excuse for the loss. It marked the second time this season they were shut out.
※It＊s the mindset, but we are bundled up pretty good,§ Edwards said. ※Once you get moving, it felt nice out there.§