Quick Take: Eury Pérez shook off Juan Soto’s 449-foot first-inning bomb to pitch 6 1/3 dominant innings, while Owen Caissie’s RBI heroics and Jakob Marsee’s wall-climbing catches lifted the Miami Marlins to a 2-1 win over the New York Mets—a statement victory for a team fighting to stay in the NL East race.
The Soto Show—Then the Pérez Shutdown
The night began with a bang—literally. Juan Soto, the Mets’ $400 million man, crushed a 449-foot solo homer into the upper deck in right-center off Eury Pérez in the first inning, his 10th of the season. For a moment, it looked like New York might run away with this one. But Pérez, who entered the game with a 10.00 ERA over his last three starts, flipped the script.
After Soto’s moon shot, Pérez locked in. He allowed just one more hit—another single to Soto in the fourth—and struck out five over 6 1/3 innings. The 22-year-old righty, who hadn’t won since April 19, silenced a Mets lineup that had been heating up, proving why he’s still one of the Marlins’ most electric young arms. His command improved as the game wore on, and by the time he handed the ball to the bullpen in the seventh, he’d given Miami a real chance to steal a game from a division rival.
Caissie’s Clutch Hits and Marsee’s Defensive Masterclass
While Pérez was dealing, the Marlins’ offense scraped together just enough. Esteury Ruiz set the tone with a leadoff triple in the fourth off Mets reliever Sean Manaea, then scored the go-ahead run on Owen Caissie’s RBI single. Caissie, who also drove in Miami’s first run with a groundout in the second, finished 2-for-4 and was the difference-maker in a game where runs were at a premium.
But the play of the night belonged to center fielder Jakob Marsee. Twice, he robbed Mets rookie Carson Benge of extra-base hits with leaping catches at the wall—once in the first inning and again in the sixth. Marsee’s defense wasn’t just highlight-reel material; it was game-changing. In a one-run game, those plays kept the Mets from ever regaining momentum.
The Bullpen Battle and a Nail-Biting Finish
The Mets turned to a bullpen game, with Tobias Myers opening and Jonah Tong—recently recalled from Triple-A Syracuse—delivering three scoreless innings. But the Marlins’ pen was even better. Andrew Nardi escaped a jam in the seventh by retiring Soto and Mark Vientos, then Michael Petersen struck out Marcus Semien and Bo Bichette in the eighth to set up closer Pete Fairbanks.
Fairbanks, working for his sixth save, walked Benge with two outs in the ninth, bringing Soto to the plate as the tying run. But the Marlins’ closer induced a flyout to center from Bichette, sealing the win and sending the home crowd into a frenzy. The Mets, who designated veteran reliever Craig Kimbrel for assignment earlier in the day to make room for Tong, will have to regroup quickly [AP News].
Why This Win Matters for the Marlins
This wasn’t just another May victory for Miami. It was a statement. The Marlins entered the series as underdogs against a Mets team with playoff aspirations, but they out-pitched, out-hit, and out-defended New York in every phase of the game. For Pérez, it was a much-needed confidence boost after a rough stretch. For Caissie and Marsee, it was a chance to showcase their star potential. And for the Marlins as a whole, it was proof that they can compete with anyone in the NL East when they play their brand of baseball.
The win also highlighted the Marlins’ depth. While Soto’s homer was a reminder of the Mets’ firepower, Miami’s ability to shut them down afterward—combined with their clutch hitting and elite defense—shows they’re building a team that can win in multiple ways.
What’s Next: A Pitcher’s Duel on Saturday
The series continues with a marquee matchup: Freddy Peralta (3-3, 3.31 ERA) for the Mets against Max Meyer (4-0, 2.85 ERA) for the Marlins. Peralta, a strikeout artist, will look to bounce back after a shaky outing, while Meyer—one of Miami’s most consistent starters—will aim to extend his unbeaten streak. If Friday’s game was any indication, expect another low-scoring, high-intensity battle [AP MLB].
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