Lopez, Marlins win finale of seven-game series — longest in the majors in 53 years

MIAMI – The Marlins still have never lost a Game 7.

Pablo Lopez allowed one run in seven innings with the help of flashy defense by right fielderMatt Joyce, and the upstart Marlins won the finale of their marathon sevengame series against Philadelphia onMonday 6-2.

The series, the majors’ longest in the regular season in 53 years, included three makeup games and two doubleheaders.

TheMarlins’ only other Game 7s were in the 1997 and 2003 postseasons, and theywon theWorld Series both years.

“ForGame7 youhave in your mind a lot more fans and more energy, but thesewere huge games for us,” Joyce said. “We played really well, and we’re excited to be in the positionwe’re in.”

Marlins Park was mostly empty because of the coronavirus, but the home team still created somebuzz by winning five of seven from Philadelphia, including the final three in the series.

The Marlins (24-21) moved into second place in the NL East, 1 1⁄ games

2 ahead of the Phils, and have a shot at their first playoff berth in 17 years after overcoming an early season COVID-19 outbreak that sidelined more than half the team.

“We’re just kind of doing what we believed we could do,” manager Don Mattingly said. “Before the season, nationally nobody was thinking about the Marlins at all, but we felt pretty good about ourselves.”

Lopez (4-4) bounced backfromhisworst outing of the year by allowing only three hitsandretiring his final 13 batters.

He was helped by not one but two over-theshoulder basket catches on the warning track by a retreating Joyce, who robbed Scott Kingery and Jean Segura.

“Way more fun if you catch those, right?” Joyce said. “Definitely that football feel.

“The Phillies’ bullpen was givingme a hard time — I said it was a touchdown, and they said I didn’t keepmy feet in. Got to go to the replay.”

The only run Lopez allowed came on Andrew McCutchen’s seventh homer to start the game. Philadelphia totaled four hits without J.T. Realmuto and Rhys Hoskins, both nursing injuries.

“It’s always frustrating when you’re not scoring runs,” manager Joe Girardi said. “We hit the ball hard; just didn’t have any runs to showfor it.”