Summary: Marlins Edge Dodgers in Pitching Duel
Series Tied 1-1: Miami improved to 14-16 on the season, narrowing the gap in the NL East, while the Dodgers remain atop the NL West at 20-10 heading into the series finale.
Janson Junk Shines: Miami’s right-hander delivered six scoreless innings, allowing just three hits and striking out four in his best outing since July, outdueling Shohei Ohtani.
Clutch Bullpen Performance: Miami’s relievers held firm, with Anthony Bender, John King, and Tyler Phillips combining to preserve the 2-1 victory after Junk’s strong start.
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By Bob Poe | April 29, 2026 | Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA
On a warm Tuesday evening at Dodger Stadium, the spotlight was firmly fixed on the mound. In front of a crowd of 51,909, two pitchers took center stage in a duel that epitomized the art of execution, resilience, and precision.
Janson Junk, Miami’s right-handed starter, delivered one of his finest performances of the season, scattering three hits across six scoreless innings. With four strikeouts and just one walk on 76 pitches (55 strikes), Junk’s outing marked the first time since July that he had thrown six shutout innings — a display that is sure to turn heads across the National League.
On the other side of the diamond stood Shohei Ohtani, the two-way superstar who has become synonymous with baseball excellence. Starting for just the second time in three weeks without appearing in the batting order, Ohtani was sharp but not sharp enough. The Dodgers ace surrendered two runs (one earned) on five hits over six innings, striking out nine and walking three. Despite pitching on five days’ rest for the first time this season, Ohtani couldn’t quite match Junk’s brilliance.
Junk’s Masterclass on the Mound
For Junk, the key was simple: execution.
“We knew what we were walking into tonight,” Junk said postgame. “It was just a matter of execution.”
And execute he did. Junk kept the powerful Dodgers lineup off balance all night, mixing his pitches effectively and working quickly to keep hitters guessing. His ability to locate his fastball and mix in his secondary pitches was evident as he navigated the likes of Freddie Freeman, Will Smith, and Max Muncy with poise and precision.
How the Runs Were Scored
Miami wasted no time putting pressure on Ohtani, manufacturing runs with opportunistic offense.
Second Inning:
Agustín Ramírez set the tone early, getting hit by a pitch to reach first base. He promptly stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error by Ohtani. Owen Caissie then capitalized with a sacrifice fly to center, giving Miami a 1-0 lead.
Fifth Inning:
Kyle Stowers extended Miami’s lead with a clutch two-out RBI single to right field, scoring Christopher Morel and making it 2-0.
Eighth Inning:
The Dodgers finally broke through against Miami reliever Michael Petersen. Freddie Freeman singled and advanced to third on Will Smith’s RBI single to right, cutting the lead to 2-1. But the rally ended there, as Kyle Tucker popped out to shortstop and Max Muncy grounded weakly to first against John King, stranding Freeman at third.
The Bullpen Delivers
After Junk’s gem, Miami’s bullpen rose to the occasion.
Anthony Bender pitched a clean seventh inning, keeping the Dodgers at bay. Petersen ran into trouble in the eighth, but King entered and slammed the door, stranding Freeman at third.
Tyler Phillips, who had blown a save just one night earlier, redeemed himself in the ninth. The right-hander retired the Dodgers in order to secure his second save of the season and preserve Miami’s hard-fought 2-1 victory.
Umpire Incident: A Scary Moment
The game wasn’t without its drama — and not just on the field. Home plate umpire Clint Vondrak was struck in the lower part of his mask by a pitch from Blake Treinen in the eighth inning, knocking the mask off. After receiving attention from the training staff, Vondrak remained in the game and finished the night.
Standing and Series Context
With the victory, Miami improves to 14-16 on the season, narrowing the gap in the NL East to seven games behind the division-leading Atlanta Braves (21-9).
The series now stands tied at 1-1, with the decisive Game 3 set for Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. Miami will look to build on the momentum of this hard-earned win as they face the challenge of closing out the series against one of the league’s top teams.
Despite the loss, the Dodgers remain atop the NL West standings with a 20-10 record, showcasing their consistency as one of baseball’s premier franchises.
The final game of the series promises to be another must-watch showdown. Miami will send left-hander Braxton Garrett (1-3, 4.15 ERA) to the mound, while the Dodgers will counter with veteran right-hander Tony Gonsolin (3-0, 1.89 ERA).
For Miami, the key will be maintaining the pitching dominance they displayed on Tuesday night while finding ways to capitalize on scoring opportunities. With their offense showing signs of life and the bullpen stepping up, the Marlins have a chance to make a statement against one of the league’s best teams.
The stakes are high, and the spotlight is bright. This series finale could set the tone for the rest of Miami’s season.
