The Miami Marlins ended the Los Angeles Angels’ eight-game winning streak on Saturday night with a 6-2 road win at Angel Stadium, fueled by Connor Norby’s three-hit performance, which included a decisive three-run home run in the seventh inning.
Norby’s homer, his third of the season, came on a 1-2 pitch from Angels reliever Caden Dana in the top of the seventh and widened Miami’s lead to five runs. The blast marked a turning point in a game that had remained close through the middle innings.
Miami entered the matchup as slight underdogs, with betting odds favoring the Angels at approximately -125, while the Marlins were listed around +105 on the moneyline. The game’s run total closed at 8.5.
The Marlins opened the scoring in the second inning off Los Angeles starter José Soriano when Liam Hicks drew a leadoff walk and later scored on a two-out single to right by Ronny Simon. Soriano, who fell to 3-5 on the season, lasted 4 2/3 innings and allowed three runs on seven hits while striking out two.
The Angels briefly tied the game in the fourth inning. Zach Neto led off with a double, and Yoán Moncada followed with a single to put runners on the corners. That sequence ended the outing for Marlins starter Cal Quantrill, who threw only 46 pitches. Reliever Ronny Henriquez came on and limited the damage to a Taylor Ward sacrifice fly before striking out Jorge Soler to maintain a 1-1 scoreline.
In the fifth, the Marlins broke through against Soriano. They loaded the bases with no outs, and although Kyle Stowers grounded into a double play that plated a run, Eric Wagaman followed with a bloop RBI single to center to extend the lead to 3-1.
Norby’s three-run homer in the seventh off Dana, who was tagged with his first major league loss, provided the Marlins with a comfortable margin that held the rest of the way. Dana allowed three earned runs on two hits and a walk in two-thirds of an inning.
Ward added a double and scored for the Angels in the ninth inning, giving him an extra-base hit in 10 consecutive games, a new franchise record. His run came off Janson Junk, who earned his first career save after tossing five innings of relief. Junk allowed one run on six hits, striking out five and walking none.
Henriquez (2-1) pitched 1 2/3 innings of scoreless relief, helping the Marlins end their three-game losing streak and even the weekend series.
The Angels saw their team-record seven-game stretch of hitting multiple home runs come to an end. They finished with just one extra-base hit on the night.
The series concludes Sunday afternoon, with right-hander Edward Cabrera (0-1, 5.50 ERA) scheduled to start for the Marlins against Angels veteran Kyle Hendricks (2-5, 5.32 ERA). The Angels are projected as narrow favorites in the finale, with early odds placing them around -115.