An absolutely thrilling matchup between the Orioles and Marlins in what was the deciding game for first place in the regular season, as the Marlins came out on top 8 - 6.
Pitching and defense were very sharp in this game as Bruce Sandham of the Orioles, and K.J. Moreno of the Marlins, held each other teams to a score of 2-1, respectively at the end of the 3rd inning.
The offense of both team, not to be out done, starting chipping away at their opponents pitching with the Marlins getting 3 runs in the 4th and the Orioles putting 2 more on the board.
Pitcher Jaylen Martin of the Marlins, and Conor Lohan of the Orioles, simply dazzled their opponents in the 5th and 6th innings completely shutting them down. For the first time all season a game went into extra innings, as the score was tied 5-5 after 7 innings.
For the Marlins, it came time for the top of the 8th. Martin reached on a walk, Moreno hit a single into center field, Kneiko Richardson hit a ball back up the middle to force Moreno out at second base. It was all up to Kyle Trott, and with runners in scoring position he hit a line drive into right centerfield scoring 2 runs in the process.
In the bottom of the 8th, Marlins pitcher Michael Betteto, had the whole game riding on his shoulders. Pitching with a 8-5 lead Betteto struggled out of the gate walking the first 2 batters. A hard fought strikeout was unfortunately followed by another walk to load the bases with just 1 out in the inning. Betteto battled back striking out his counterpart Lohan, to record the second out. What seemed to be a sure out ground ball to third base turned into an error allowing the Orioles to make the sure 8-6 with 1 out and the bases still loaded. Betteto battled hard and got the strikeout for the 3rd out giving the Marlins the win, and first place, in dramatic fashion.
