MIAMI (AP) — David Festa surrendered three first-inning runs, and Matt Wallner accounted for the Twins’ only run as the Miami Marlins beat Minnesota, 4-1, in the rubber match of a three-game series Thursday.
The Marlins have won their past four series; the Twins are 1-4 since they had a three-game win streak snapped last weekend at Detroit.
Agustín Ramírez hit a two-run home run, Xavier Edwards singled twice and Eury Pérez (1-2) struck out a season-high seven and walked one in six innings of one-hit ball for his first win since June 25, 2023, against Pittsburgh. Cade Gibson relieved Pérez in the seventh after 80 pitches.
Minnesota Twins starting pitcher David Festa throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Thursday, July 3, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Ramírez connected on a 1-2 fastball from Twins starter Festa (2-3) and launched it 425 feet to left-center during a three-run first. He Ramírez all major league rookies with 13 home runs, and the homer extended his lead among rookies in extra-base hits to 29 (15 doubles, one triple, and 13 home runs).
Festa allowed five hits and four runs with seven strikeouts in six innings.
The Marlins (39-46) have won 10 of their past 12 — including an eight-game winning streak — and have the same record as the Atlanta Braves for third in the NL East.
The Twins went 2-4 in their six-game road trip, also losing a series at Detroit.
Edwards hit leadoff singles in the first and third and stole his team-leading 15th base. Kyle Stowers went 0-for-3, ending his nine-game hitting streak. Ronny Henriquez earned his fifth save.
Wallner’s two-out homer against Gibson made it 4-1 in the seventh. Anthony Bender then gave up consecutive singles before getting pinch-hitter Ryan Jeffers to ground out to end the inning.
Up next
The Twins begin a three-game home series against Tampa Bay with a July 4 afternoon start Friday at Target Field. right-hander Chris Paddack (3-7, 4.70) is scheduled to start for Minnesota.
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