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Miami Marlins starter Jose Fernandez became the third fastest pitcher to reach 500 strikeouts in MLB history (65 games), notching 14 strikeouts for the third time in his career. Miami eventually stormed back with two runs in the ninth and a game-winner in the 11th against the Philadelphia Phillies.
It looked like Fernandez's start was going to be spoiled due to a lack of offense. The 23-year-old righty gave up a first-inning run on an RBI groundout to Maikel Franco. The second run came in the form of the long ball. Tommy Joseph blasted a homer to left in the seventh, stretching the Phillies' lead to two.
While Fernandez was dazzling, Philly starter Aaron Nola looked just as good, if not better. He gave up just two hits in six innings -- the second knock, a come-backer off the bat of Adeiny Hechevarria that ultimately caused his early exit.
Nola sat at just 68 pitches, but didn't return for the seventh after taking the liner off of his throwing arm in the sixth.
The Phillies didn't seem to skip a beat after his exit, though. Edubray Ramos and Hector Neris didn't allow a hit in their scoreless two frames leading into the all-important ninth.
Down 2-0, the Marlin bats finally pieced together some quality swings with two outs against reliever Jeanmar Gomez. Christian Yelich doubled home J.T. Realmuto with a liner in the right-center gap to put the Fish on the board. Marcell Ozuna pulled the game even when he singled on a soft line drive to center.
Miami and Philly stayed quiet from that point until the league leader against left-handed pitching got a chance to lead off the bottom of the 11th against left-hander Brett Oberholtzer. Martin Prado absolutely demolished a 2-0 offering to give Miami its first lead of the game.
All-Star A.J. Ramos came into the bottom of the 11th to close things out for the Fish. He got the first two outs with ease, but Franco sent a long fly ball to left. It looked like the Phils had tied things up before Ozuna squeezed it for the last out right in front of the fence.
Fun Facts:
- The Phillies recorded just one hit from the third to 11th inning.
- The Marlin pitchers struck out a total of 18 Philly batters in the game.
- Monday's come-from-behind win marked the Marlins' first win in 41 games when trailing after eight innings this season (1-40),
- Miami is now eight games above .500 (50-42) for the first time since June of 2012.
Source: FanGraphs