The Colorado Rockies have at last found a ray of optimism in a season full of obstacles. They defeated the Miami Marlins 3-2 on Tuesday night to secure their first series win of the 2025 MLB season, snapping a record-tying 22-game losing streak that began in 2024. 

A Long-Awaited Breakthrough

The Rockies (11–50) had the worst record in baseball going into Wednesday’s finale at LoanDepot Park. They had already lost 10 of their first 20 series this season, setting an MLB record for the most series sweeps thus far into a campaign. Colorado was in disarray after multiple late bullpen breakdowns and a weak offense, despite occasional bursts of competitiveness. But they were resolved to change the course when they got to Miami.

Colorado’s often-maligned bullpen stayed steady behind 2.2 innings of combined shutout relief from Pierce Johnson, Peter Lambert, and Justin Lawrence, bringing the team back to even after an early Marlins run put them behind 1-0. This helped them reach the crucial eighth inning. Miami threatened but failed to solve Colorado’s relievers, demonstrating manager Bud Black’s confidence in his pitchers. In addition to tying the game, Hunter Goodman’s solo homer in the eighth inning sparked a celebration that helped them win 3–2 in extras.

Game Recap: Key Moments

Early Marlins Lead:

In the top of the second inning, Miami scored the opening run. Prospect Jesús Sánchez scored Jon Berti with a single into right-center with two on and two out, giving the Fish a 1-0 lead. After a rough first inning, Rockies starter German Márquez, who had been rested for six days, had found his rhythm, but the Marlins’ opportunistic offense punished him.

Rockies’ Third-Inning Response:

Colorado responded in the third inning. Raimel Tapia crushed a liner into left field with Miguel Amaya aboard via a one-out walk, tying the score at one. This run was crucial because it put the Rockies within striking distance, even though Márquez would leave after 5⅔ innings (five hits, one run, and seven strikeouts).  

Bullpen Brilliance:

Following Márquez’s departure, Miami was shut out from the sixth through the eighth inning by a combination of Justin Lawrence (1 inning), Peter Lambert (⅓ inning), and Pierce Johnson (2⅓ innings). The Marlins bats were subdued by Lambert’s high-velocity fastball and Johnson’s groundball-inducing changeup until Colorado’s turn to take the ball.

Hunter Goodman’s Pivotal Blast:

Hunter Goodman, a pinch hitter, sent the crowd into a frenzy in the eighth inning with Selena. Goodman hit his first career MLB home run, a slider into the right-field seats, to give the Rockies a 2-1 lead on a 1-1 count with Ian Hamilton on the mound. That explosion energized Colorado’s dugout and ended the series slide.

Insurance in Extras:

Even though Miami leveled the score at two runs in the ninth inning thanks to an RBI single from Seunghwan Oh by Jesús Aguilar , the Rockies remained undeterred. Yoshinobu Yamamoto fought through deep counts in the 10th before drawing a walk. A single from Elias Díaz placed runners on the corners. Following a strikeout by gameday star Coleman Young, Brenton Doyle induced a walk to load the bases. Trey Wingenter was replaced by Yency Almonte, who immediately gave pinch-runner Brendan Rodgers a bases-loaded free pass to force in the game-winning run. Then, in the bottom half, closer Carlos Estévez shut the door, leaving two Marlins stranded and ensuring a 3–2 victory. 

Looking Ahead

Even though Miami leveled the score at two runs in the ninth inning thanks to an RBI single from Seunghwan Oh The Rockies have not only broken a historic losing skid but also laid the groundwork for future success with this series win. In the next game against the Marlins, they now have an opportunity to finish a series sweep. Even though the season’s difficulties are far from finished, this victory marks a sea change and gives the club new direction for the future.

This series loss worsens the Marlins’ current problems on the field and with fan interaction. Just 5,894 people showed up for a recent game versus the Rockies at loanDepot Park, highlighting the team’s struggles to attract large crowds. 

In the grand tapestry of a baseball season, moments like these remind us of the sport’s unpredictability and the ever-present potential for redemption. The Rockies’ recent success serves as a testament to perseverance and the enduring spirit of competition.