Marlins Upset Rays
Javier Sanoja Homers, Tyler Zuber Earns First Save as Marlins Edge Rays 4-3
The Miami Marlins beat the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays 4-3 on Saturday at loanDepot Park, with Javier Sanoja hitting a 363-foot solo home run and Tyler Zuber striking out Junior Caminero with the bases loaded to earn his first career MLB save. The win moved the Rays to 37-24 while Miami sits at 29-35, third in the NL East, according to Associated Press.
The Marlins led 4-0 heading into the eighth inning before the bullpen nearly gave it all back. Closer Pete Fairbanks entered the ninth with a three-run lead and exited to a "smattering of boos" after allowing two runs and loading the bases, per Newsday. Zuber then came in cold and slammed the door.
Sanoja Powers Marlins With Bat and Run Production
Sanoja, a Venezuelan utility player who won the Gold Glove at his position in 2025, was the game's best hitter. He went 3-for-4 on the night. In the fifth inning, he launched a 363-foot home run to left field off Rays starter Shane McClanahan to break a scoreless tie. Joe Mack followed with a run-scoring double to make it 2-0, according to CBS Sports.
Sanoja struck again in the sixth with an RBI single to right field, pushing the lead to 3-0. Pinch-hitter Liam Hicks then added a sacrifice fly to make it 4-0. McClanahan took the loss, falling to 6-3 after giving up four runs on eight hits over five innings, per Houston Chronicle.
Fairbanks Nearly Blows Three-Run Lead in Ninth
The Rays chipped away in the eighth when Yandy Díaz hit an RBI double off Michael Petersen to score Victor Mesa Jr., making it 4-1. Then came the ninth. Fairbanks, signed to a record $13 million deal for a Marlins reliever, walked leadoff batter Ben Williamson. A wild pitch later allowed Williamson to score, cutting the lead to 4-2, according to Yahoo Sports.
Díaz followed with an RBI single to make it 4-3. Fairbanks then loaded the bases, and manager Clayton McCullough pulled him. Fairbanks now carries a 7.04 ERA through 17 appearances this season, per Yardbarker. Díaz finished the game with three of Tampa Bay's five total hits.
Zuber's Bases-Loaded Strikeout Seals the Win
Tyler Zuber, a 30-year-old recently called up from Triple-A Jacksonville, entered with the bases loaded and nobody out. He struck out Junior Caminero — one of the hottest young hitters in the AL — on five pitches to end the game and earn his first career save, according to Herald Bulletin.
Zuber carries a 33.9% strikeout rate across his appearances this year, per CBS Sports. His success in a high-pressure spot may push the Marlins to rethink their bullpen roles. If Fairbanks keeps struggling, Zuber could take over as the team's primary closer down the stretch.
Rays Lose Fourth of Five Games, Series Ends Sunday
Tampa Bay has now lost four of their last five games despite holding first place in the AL East. The Rays went just 5-for-10 with runners in scoring position and left multiple runners on base in the ninth. The loss continues a rough stretch that included getting shut out by the Tigers in their previous series, per St. Albert Gazette.
The two teams wrap up their "Citrus Series" on Sunday, June 7. Tampa Bay will send RHP Griffin Jax (1-4, 4.76 ERA) to the mound. Miami counters with ace Sandy Alcantara (4-4, 4.59 ERA). Attendance for Saturday's game was 10,312 at loanDepot Park, according to Associated Press.
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