Junk's gem, Edwards' first HR of '25 headline dominant Marlins win

BALTIMORE -- Janson Junk went toe-to-toe with former Marlins starter Trevor Rogers on a hot and muggy Saturday afternoon in Baltimore, holding off the Orioles, 6-0, to snap a three-game slide.

Xavier Edwards hit his first homer of the season, a two-run shot that traveled a Statcast-projected 386 feet to right-center field in the ninth inning, sparking a late surge from the offense, as Miami broke open a scoreless tie with six runs in the final three frames.

Edwards also hit a double off the top of the right-field wall that almost went out in the eighth.

"After I hit that double, I thought maybe it would get out,” Edwards said. “I got to second and I was talking to [Gunnar] Henderson, and I said, 'Maybe I'm just not meant to hit one.’ I have come close now [for what] feels like three or four times [over] the last week. Got a pitch to hit, I was ready for it, I was on time and caught it out in front, good swing, glad it went over."

Edwards -- whose only other career homer was on July 28 of last year, when he hit for the cycle -- went 494 at-bats and 122 games without a home run until Saturday.

"He was going to get one at some point,” said manager Clayton McCullough. “It was great today. He certainly doesn't go up there trying. I don't think he weighs on that [or] looks to do it. He knows what he brings to the table and where his value lies."

There was no silent treatment for Edwards post-homer when he reached the top step of the dugout.

“A lot of high fives, sunflower seeds and the hat,” Edwards smiled. “The hat is a lot bigger than I thought. I didn't know how big it was. I've got a small head and it's a big hat."

Junk (4-1) kept his pitch count down, induced infield grounders and only allowed five hits in his first career start against the Orioles. The right-hander followed up a six-inning, one-hit win over the Reds with a career-high seven scoreless innings Saturday, with two strikeouts and no walks on 85 pitches (59 strikes) in his fifth start of the season.

"This start, I felt much better,” Junk said. “A lot of rest and recovery in between. That was pretty much the main focus rather than [the] workload on the field. Just getting back to executing early, often [and in] two-strike counts. Getting back to what I do, [which] is fill up the zone, challenge them and use that aggressiveness to my advantage."

Pitchers talk all the time about valuing early runs from their offense to help them lock in. But did Rogers tossing four innings of no-hit ball weigh on Junk’s focus?

"I don't really think about what the other team is doing in that aspect,” Junk said. “He was doing really well, looked impressive. But at the same time, I got to do my thing. I know how I'm feeling. I kind of like when it's tight like that. It's kind of feeling like the game can shift at any moment, and that's what's so fun about baseball."

Dane Myers had the only two hits off Rogers (2-1, 1.53 ERA), who spent 4 1/2 seasons with Miami before being traded late July last season to Baltimore for Connor Norby and Kyle Stowers.

The Marlins were able to capitalize off of the Orioles’ bullpen. Derek Hill dropped in two RBI singles, pinch-hitter Jesús Sánchez connected on a run-scoring single and Javier Sanoja added an RBI double.

Junk’s value for Miami ticked up this weekend with news that right-hander Edward Cabrera needed an MRI for right elbow discomfort felt in the fourth inning of the Marlins’ 5-2 loss in the series opener Friday night. There was no postgame update on Cabrera.

Junk's control has been amazing through his first 10 appearances this season. He has walked four batters all season (50 1/3 IP) for a 0.79 BB/9, the best mark on Miami's staff. His K/BB is 9.5, also best among Marlins pitchers.

"It's incredible,” McCullough said of Junk’s performance. “It's what it takes to beat good lineups. They're going to get some hits. But if you are able to limit the free passes, if you are in the zone and get them in ‘swing mode,’ having to hit, at least you have some control now of how you want to utilize your stuff. Janson has done that exceptionally well."