'Throwback' Marlins rally for walk-off win

MIAMI -- A message manager Don Mattingly gave the Marlins coming out of the All-Star break was to find a way to win close games.

They managed to do it on Friday, with two of their rookies celebrating firsts. Reliever José Quijada tossed a scoreless ninth inning, and Harold Ramirez lifted a sacrifice fly to center off Yoshihisa Hirano in the bottom of the frame to score Neil Walker, giving the Marlins a 3-2 walk-off victory over the D-backs at Marlins Park.

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It was Quijada’s first big league win and Ramirez’s first walk-off moment.

“Learning to do that, learning to play in the ninth inning with high-leverage guys on the mound, and put together good at-bats, and not get too amped up or anything and take what they give you,” Walker said. “Those are important in the growth of a team.”

Winners of three straight, the Marlins notched their second walk-off win of the season, both coming in their last two home games -- with the other on July 18 against San Diego.

Less than a week to the Trade Deadline, the current Miami roster is approaching a crossroads for players who project to be part of the future with those who could be on the move by Wednesday.

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The Marlins’ ninth-inning rally was a group effort of players who project to be part of their future, along with those who could be dealt.

Ramirez is in the mix to be part of where the club is headed, while Walker, a free agent after this season, is a candidate to be dealt.

Garrett Cooper, making a case to be a regular, doubled off closer Greg Holland to begin the Miami 9th. Yadiel Rivera pinch-ran, and Walker drew a walk. Starlin Castro, another trade candidate, singled to load the bases, and Jorge Alfaro, the catcher for the long term, lifted the game-tying sacrifice fly.

The D-backs went with Hirano to face Ramirez, who drove the ball deep enough to center to bring home Walker for the winning run.

A theme for the four-game series is a “throwback weekend” with the Marlins wearing their retro-teal uniforms, a reminder of the past. But in the midst of a building process, the long-term vision is on the future.

Before the game, the video scoreboard showed the replay off Edgar Renteria’s World Series winning hit against the Indians in 1997. Renteria, like Ramirez, is from Colombia.

“Before the game, I thought about that because they showed [Renteria's hit] on the scoreboard,” Ramirez said. “I got the opportunity, and I made it. Donnie told me, 'Just try to hit the ball out. We just need a fly ball.' I tried to hit it out.”

Quijada, who has 16 MLB appearances, has a chance to factor into the late-inning mix.

“This is a very difficult level, compared to the Minor Leagues,” Quijada said through an interpreter. “What I learned was to throw the pitches to where I have to throw it. Attack the zone and get the out.”

The game also was a showcase for players who might be on the move in the coming days. Walker drove in Miami’s first run with a sacrifice fly in the first inning. It was the only run Zack Greinke allowed in six innings.

Sandy Alcantara kept the Marlins close, allowing two runs on five hits and three walks while fanning four in six innings.

“It's a good win,” Mattingly said. “It was a good game. Both sides. Good pitching.”

Trevor Richards, in his first relief appearance after making 20 starts this season, tossed a scoreless eighth inning, with two strikeouts. Miami has engaged in trade talks regarding Richards.

Teams also have interest in lefty reliever Jarlín García, who had a clean seventh inning, with a strikeout.

Brian Anderson, a third baseman/right fielder and core part of the Marlins' future, had a double and made a diving catch that saved a run on Nick Ahmed’s liner in the sixth inning.

In his second full season, Anderson noted the impact veterans have made on an inexperienced roster.

“They mean a lot,” Anderson said. “They bring a lot of consistency, and a lot of leadership. With just having such a young roster, they bring a lot every day. They show us how to go about your day to day, and do everything the right way.”