The Miami Marlins turned up the heat at Target Field on Wednesday night, rolling past the Minnesota Twins 9-5 behind a balanced offensive attack that had fans on their feet from the first inning.
Leo Jiménez was the spark plug, collecting three hits, while Xavier Edwards showcased his speed and power with a double, a triple, and three runs scored. The duo set the table perfectly for the heart of the order, making life tough for Twins pitching all night.
Owen Caissie delivered the big blow in the second inning—a two-run homer that gave Miami a lead they'd never relinquish. But the real star of the show might have been Liam Hicks, who drove in three runs to push his MLB-leading RBI total to 38. That kind of production is what every team dreams of from the middle of the lineup.
On the mound, Max Meyer improved to 3-0, battling through 5 2/3 innings despite allowing four runs. He struck out nine and showed the kind of composure that makes him a rising force in the Marlins' rotation.
The Twins didn't go quietly, though. Byron Buxton launched two solo homers—both on first-pitch swings in the first and third innings—and Kody Clemens also went deep. But Minnesota couldn't string together enough rallies to keep pace.
One quirky highlight for the Twins: Josh Bell stole his first base since September 27, 2018. That 978-game gap between steals is the longest for any batter since at least 1900, per the Elias Sports Bureau—a reminder that baseball always finds a way to surprise you.
Twins starter Simeon Woods Richardson continued his tough stretch, allowing eight runs (six earned) on seven hits and four walks over just three-plus innings. After a promising start to the season, he's now posted a 9.79 ERA over his last seven outings.
The Marlins jumped ahead early with two unearned runs in the first, then broke it open with a four-run fourth inning. Edwards' RBI double and Hicks' two-run single were the key hits in that frame, giving Miami all the cushion Meyer needed.
Looking ahead, neither team has named a starter for Thursday afternoon's series finale. The Marlins are expected to activate left-hander Braxton Garrett to take the place of Robby Snelling, who was placed on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with a sprained UCL in his left elbow.
For Marlins fans, this win is another sign that this team is finding its groove—and with hitters like Jiménez, Edwards, and Hicks leading the way, there's plenty of reason to be excited about what's to come.