Marlins Edge Reds Behind Late Home Runs From Hernández and Sanoja

The Miami Marlins defeated the Cincinnati Reds 7-1 on Sunday afternoon in Cincinnati, powered by back-to-back home run displays that broke open the contest in the final two innings. Heriberto Hernández and Javier Sanoja each connected for homers to secure the decisive victory and improve Miami’s position in the standings.

Hernández’s solo shot in the eighth inning, his 18th of the season, opened the scoring at 1-0. The blast came after a throwing error by Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz allowed Agustín Ramírez to reach, followed by Xavier Edwards’ single and Sanoja’s walk to load the bases. Griffin Conine’s walk that followed forced in Ramírez from third base, though Cincinnati’s Jose Trevino unsuccessfully challenged the call at home plate.

Sanoja delivered the knockout blow in the ninth with a three-run homer following Ramírez’s double, extending Miami’s lead to 7-1. The offensive outburst proved more than sufficient for the visiting Marlins’ pitching staff, which held Cincinnati’s offense largely in check throughout the afternoon.

Eury Pérez started for Miami and allowed just two hits across six innings while striking out five and walking five. Josh Ekness (1-1) pitched a scoreless seventh inning. Cincinnati’s Tyler Stephenson provided the Reds’ lone run with his 12th home run of the season as a pinch-hitter.

Nick Lodolo took the loss for the Reds after yielding three hits, two walks and two strikeouts over five innings. Tejay Antone (2-2) gave up two hits and two runs, one earned, in relief. The Marlins’ Janson Junk (6-7, 4.41 ERA) faces Philadelphia’s Cristopher Sanchez (15-4, 2.54 ERA) on Monday in Philadelphia, while Cincinnati’s Rhett Lowder (4-8, 5.15 ERA) starts at home against St. Louis.