Otto Lopez hit a double to bring in the go-ahead run in the 13th inning, helping the Miami Marlins defeat the struggling Minnesota Twins 8-6 on Thursday night.
Carlos Correa hit a home run for the Twins, who struggled with their chances, going 2 for 19 with runners in scoring position and leaving 15 players on base during the game.
“We had every opportunity put in front of us to win that baseball game,” said Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers. “Our season is on the line and we weren’t able to execute to get that run across.”
The Twins (82-77) have lost six of their last eight games and now sit three games behind the Tigers and Royals in the race for the last two AL wild card spots. They will be eliminated with one more loss or if Detroit and Kansas City each win.
“I know how we’ve played. I’ve been here and been a part of it and watched it all,” said Twins manager Rocco Baldelli.
“We are not eliminated right now, at this point. And I don’t have the mindset that we are out of this. I don’t care who’s available in the pen tomorrow. I don’t care how we played today. My intention is to win out … and see what happens.”
In the 13th inning, Lopez drove in automatic runner Dane Myers with a one-out hit down the left field line against Scott Blewett (1-1). Griffin Conine then added to the lead with a two-out, two-run single off Justin Topa.
“We like playing the role of villain,” Conine said. “We want to be the spoilers. That’s what we said going in, and we got a couple of good wins this series, which is awesome.”
Anthony Maldonado (1-1) pitched two scoreless innings to earn his first career win. Darren McCaughan allowed one run in the 13th, getting his first save.
After falling behind 4-0 after five innings, the Twins fought back, tying the game with Brooks Lee’s two-run double in the eighth. Both teams scored with a sacrifice fly in the 10th inning.
The Twins trailed for the third consecutive game as Jake Burger’s RBI double gave Miami a 1-0 lead in the first inning.
