Marlins rally for 5 runs in 9th inning to stun Rockies 9-8 on Sánchez's homer

DENVER (AP) — Jesús Sánchez hit a three-run homer to cap a five-run rally in the ninth inning that gave the Miami Marlins an improbable 9-8 comeback victory against the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night.

In a matchup between the National League's two worst teams, the Marlins trailed 6-0 early and were down by four entering the ninth. But they got a two-run double from Jake Burger before Sánchez followed with his 17th homer off Angel Chivili.

“I was just thinking about the 97, that 97 (mph) fastball,” Sánchez said through a translator. “I was just waiting for it, then I reacted when I saw the changeup and connected with it. When I saw the ball in the air, I just started celebrating with my whole team.”

Burger said Marlins pitcher Valente Bellozo actually called Sánchez's homer.

“He said, ‘Changeup and he’s gonna hit a three-run home run here,’” Burger recounted.

It was the largest deficit Miami has overcome this season, besting the five-run hole it climbed out of in an April 30 win, which also came against the Rockies.

Entering the night, the Marlins had been 5-76 when trailing after eight innings, while Colorado had been 41-8 when leading after eight. It was the Rockies’ largest blown lead of the year.

“In this game, nothing’s predictable,” Colorado manager Bud Black said.

Kyle Stowers hit his second home run and first triple of the season for Miami. Griffin Conine, the son of longtime Marlins outfielder Jeff Conine, had his first two career hits, a triple and a double, one day after making his major league debut.

“We’re resilient,” Burger said. “There’s a lot of guys out here who are trying to prove themselves at this level, going out there and taking really good at-bats. ... It’s a lot of young guys, but a lot of guys that have a lot of talent.”

George Soriano (1-1) earned the win by pitching a scoreless eighth. Chivili (1-2) took the loss and was handed his second blown save.

Rockies reliever Tyler Kinley was charged with four of the Marlins’ five runs in the ninth.

"I feel like I threw a lot of good sliders down in the zone last night that they all swung at and tonight, they laid off of them,” Kinley said. “A couple of the fastballs we went to, they were just on it. We don’t know … maybe I was giving those away, maybe I was doing something.”

Calvin Faucher struck out all three batters he faced for his fourth save.

Ezequiel Tovar had four RBIs and three extra-base hits for Colorado, including his 20th and 21st home runs of the season. It was Tovar’s 14th game this season with at least three hits.

Charlie Blackmon and Jacob Stallings finished with two hits apiece for the Rockies, who got at least one hit from each player in their lineup.

Blackmon and Sam Hilliard each hit a solo home run. Blackmon’s leadoff shot in the first inning was his 133rd homer at Coors Field, breaking a tie with Vinny Castilla for the most by a Colorado player in the ballpark’s 29-year history.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Marlins: INF Tristan Gray was claimed off waivers by the Oakland Athletics. Gray was designated for assignment Sunday after appearing in seven games for Miami this season.

Rockies: OF Brenton Doyle (knee inflammation) was not in the starting lineup for a second consecutive game. Hilliard started in center field in place of Doyle, who leads the team with 21 home runs and 63 RBIs.

UP NEXT

Miami RHP Max Meyer (3-3, 5.44 ERA) faces Colorado LHP Kyle Freeland (3-6, 5.70) on Wednesday.

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Colorado Rockies catcher Jacob Stallings, front, fields the throw as Miami Marlins' Griffin Conine scores on a sacrifice fly hit by Ali Sánchez in the sixth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Rockies manager Bud Black, left, takes the ball from starting pitcher Cal Quantrill, right, as he is pulled from the mound while catcher Jacob Stallings looks on in the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Miami Marlins' Griffin Conine heads up the first-base line after tripling against Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Cal Quantrill in the sixth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Luis Peralta works against the Miami Marlins in the eighth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Rockies' Ezequiel Tovar follows the flight of his sacrifice fly to drive in a run off Miami Marlins relief pitcher Mike Baumann in the sixth inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Miami Marlins relief pitcher Calvin Faucher reacts after striking out Colorado Rockies' Ryan McMahon to end in a baseball game, Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Miami Marlins' Jesus Sanchez gestures as he crosses home plate after hitting a three-run home run off Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Angel Chivilli in the ninth inning of after a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Miami Marlins third base coach Griffin Benedict, left, congratulates Jesus Sanchez as he circles the bases after hitting a three-run home run off Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Angel Chivilli in the ninth inning of after a baseball game, Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Miami Marlins' Jesus Sanchez gestures as he circles three-run home run off Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Angel Chivilli in the ninth inning of after a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Miami Marlins' Jesus Sachez gestures as he circles the bases after hitting a three-run home run off Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Angel Chivilli in the ninth inning of after a baseball game, Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Miami Marlins' Jesus Sanchez heads up the first-base line after hitting a three-run home run off Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Angel Chivilli in the ninth inning of after a baseball game, Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Miami Marlins' Jesus Sanchez follows the flight of his three-run home run off Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Angel Chivilli in the ninth inning of after a baseball game, Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

DETROIT (AP) — Detroit pitchers Beau Brieske and Brant Hurter combined for a no-hitter into the eighth inning against the Baltimore Orioles, retiring 21 consecutive batters before Adley Rutschman's eight-pitch walk leading off the eighth on Friday night.

Detroit led 1-0.

Brieske, a 26-year-old right-hander, was planned to start as an opener and retired four batters while throwing 11 of 16 pitches for strikes.

Hunter, a 26-year-old rookie left-hander, struck out eight in 5 2/3 innings while throwing 53 of 71 pitches for strikes. He started 17 of 18 batters with strikes, including his first 14.

Brenan Hanifee relieved after Rutschman's walk.

The closest Baltimore came to a hit was Ryan O'Hearn's fifth-inning soft line drive down the left-field line that landed inches foul.

There have been 24 perfect games, all complete games.

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Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Brant Hurter throws against the Baltimore Orioles in the fifth inning of a baseball game, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Beau Brieske throws against the Baltimore Orioles in the first inning of a baseball game, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)