Marlins push Twins to brink of elimination with 8-6 win in 13 innings

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Otto Lopez delivered the decisive hit in the 13th inning, driving in the go-ahead run to help the Miami Marlins defeat the struggling Minnesota Twins 8-6 on Thursday night.

Carlos Correa hit a home run for the Twins, who struggled mightily at the plate, going just 2 for 19 with runners in scoring position and leaving 15 runners stranded throughout the game. With this loss, the Twins (82-77) have now dropped six of their last eight games, trailing the Tigers and Royals by three games in the race for the final two AL wild card spots. Another loss or a win from either Detroit or Kansas City would eliminate them from postseason contention.

In the 13th, Lopez sent a one-out drive down the left field line, scoring automatic runner Dane Myers. Griffin Conine then solidified the win with a two-out, two-run single off Justin Topa, pushing Miami’s lead to a comfortable margin.

Anthony Maldonado (1-1) earned his first career victory by pitching two scoreless innings, while Darren McCaughan gave up one run in the 13th to secure his first save.

The Twins found themselves in a 4-0 hole after five innings but fought back to tie the game with Brooks Lee’s two-run double in the eighth. Both teams exchanged sacrifice flies in the 10th, keeping the tension high.

The game started on a rough note for the Twins, as Jake Burger’s RBI double put Miami ahead 1-0 in the first inning. The Marlins knocked out Twins starter David Festa in the fifth, scoring three runs on RBI singles from Xavier Edwards and Burger, along with an error from catcher Ryan Jeffers, who mishandled a throw at the plate.

Correa’s sixth-inning homer bounced off the third deck in left field, providing a spark for the Twins, who added another run in the seventh due to a throwing error by shortstop Edwards.

**UP NEXT**
**Marlins:** RHP Adam Oller (1-4, 5.06) takes the mound as Miami begins its final series of the season in Toronto on Friday. In his last outing, Oller allowed two earned runs over 5 2/3 innings against Atlanta on September 21. Toronto has yet to announce its starting pitcher.

**Twins:** RHP Pablo López (15-9, 4.11) will make his final start of the season against the Orioles on Friday. López struggled in his last game, giving up a season-high seven runs in just four innings against Boston. The Orioles have not named their starter.

(Photo courtesy of Twins/MLB)