Who needs cake? Burger serves up birthday HR to beat Yanks

NEW YORK -- Jake Burger had a special night on Wednesday. Not only was it his 28th birthday, but his three-run homer proved to be the difference in the Marlins' 5-2 victory over the Yankees at Yankee Stadium. It was just Miami's second victory of the season.

The Marlins avoided joining the 2003 Tigers (1-12), 1997 Cubs (0-13), and 1992 Royals (1-12) as the only teams in the past 35 years to win no more than one of their first 13 games.

“We need every victory,” Marlins manager Skip Schumaker said. “We put ourselves in a little bit of a hole. You can’t lose the whole season or win a World Series in April, but you can't get into the playoffs if you are on this losing skid. We definitely need to get on a run. It’s always nice winning on getaway day and heading into the off-day. We can build some momentum against a tough Braves team [on Friday]."

Instead, Miami went to work on Yankees right-hander Marcus Stroman -- who had not allowed an earned run in 12 innings this season -- in the third inning. Luis Arraez gave the Marlins a 1-0 lead when he singled to left field, scoring Nick Gordon and putting runners on first and second.

After Josh Bell struck out, Burger followed and teed off on an 0-1 pitch, hitting a three-run homer to give Miami a 4-0 lead.

“Any time you get a win and hit a home run on [your] birthday, it seems like a pretty good day,” Burger said. “I woke up this morning, [this is] what I wanted -- a Marlins win. Fortunately, we got one.

“Stroman is a really good pitcher. He keeps hitters off balance, works all parts of the plate. Fortunately, I got a pitch that I can do something with [and] I made solid contact.”

Ever since the White Sox traded Burger to the Marlins last August, he has found consistency in the batter’s box. The message to Burger was to use the entire field. It’s not about pulling the ball for home runs. He has seemingly understood the message, considering he has a .294 batting average since the trade.

This season, he's been even better. Burger has a .538/.500/.769 slash line with one homer and 11 RBIs with runners in scoring position this season.

“It’s all about the preparation, and you have to execute. He is a smart kid,” Schumaker said. “He is a better hitter than just a power hitter, and he is showing how good of a hitter he is.”

The lead was good enough for left-hander Ryan Weathers to earn his first win in almost exactly one year -- since April 11, 2023, with the Padres. He scattered three hits and three walks over five scoreless innings while striking out one.

“Ground-ball rate was really good; it was probably some of his best stuff of the year,” Schumaker said. “The eight three-ball counts probably hurt him. … I know he was frustrated with it. He had really good stuff. He could have gone six or seven innings [if not for his pitch count], but I thought he did a really nice job.”

It was also a special moment for Weathers to pitch at Yankee Stadium for the first time in his career, considering his father, David Weathers, was an integral part of the Yankees team that won the 1996 World Series.

“It’s really cool. I heard stories about him in 1996,” Weathers said. “Obviously, I wasn’t born yet. But just hearing stories about him winning here -- it’s just kind of cool being a second generation to come here and win a ballgame.”