MIAMI — The Marlins reached 10 games over .500 for the first time since July 17, 2023, completing their seventh sweep of the season behind right-hander Janson Junk’s return from the injured list in a win over Seattle.
Miami (52-42) has now won a season-high-tying six straight and posted an MLB-best 26-8 record since June 1. The Marlins’ 16-4 mark over their latest 20-game span matched the winningest single-season 20-game stretch in franchise history, previously set Aug. 14-Sept. 8, 2004. Their seven sweeps are tied with the reigning two-time World Series champion Dodgers for the most among National League clubs, per the Elias Sports Bureau.
“That was the biggest thing, just getting back with the team and being a part of this winning ballclub,” Junk said. “It’s just exhilarating. It makes coming to the field that much better. Seeing the way the boys were playing, it was unfortunate I was seeing it from afar, but I was so excited for them, seeing the way they were rolling, and I couldn’t be more excited getting back with the team.”
Junk, who had been sidelined since May 28 with right shin bone inflammation, allowed two runs — one earned — on three hits with a season-high four walks and five strikeouts across a 79-pitch outing. After issuing back-to-back walks to open the game, he induced a double play and struck out Cal Raleigh on a foul tip. His lone earned run came on Randy Arozarena’s two-out solo homer in the fifth. Junk retired eight of the final nine batters he faced.
“Instead of letting it boil over, I think I did a good job kind of bouncing back and not letting it affect me, even though it’s an embarrassing moment,” Junk said after an errant pickoff throw to third baseman Leo Jiménez led to an unearned run in the second. “I think that’s the overall message of the day is getting back to the team. We’re winning, we’re playing good ball. Fundamentals are great, timely hitting, good pitching. Everything is going in a good direction right now, and I’m so happy to be a part of it.”
Manager Clayton McCullough praised Junk’s composure. “He really put it together in the last three innings, filled it up,” McCullough said. “He had a good fastball tonight and complemented well with his other stuff. He held it there till the end. Really nice to have Janson back in there for us.”
Miami’s offense gave Junk plenty of support. Griffin Conine, filling in for the injured Owen Caissie, crushed a game-tying solo homer to right and fell a triple shy of the cycle. Liam Hicks lined a two-out RBI double in the second. A four-run fourth featured Jakob Marsee scoring from second on a grounder to first, Otto Lopez delivering a two-run triple and Kyle Stowers adding an RBI single.
“It was big,” Conine said. “Junk was settling in. We know he’s going to be great for us. Obviously, he went back out and gave us five good innings. So, I think just settling the score was big.”