MIAMI _ The wave of momentum the Miami Marlins were riding appears to have crashed. Their hold on first place in the National League East disappeared with it.
Outside of a ninth-inning rally, little went right for the Marlins in their 11-4 loss to the New York Mets on Monday to start a four-game series at Marlins Park.
Starting pitcher Jordan Yamamoto barely made it through 1 1/3 innings. The bullpen gave up four home runs _ two each to Robinson Cano and Pete Alonso. The offense only managed to turn 11 hits and 19 total baserunners into four runs.
And the Marlins' losing streak has extended to three consecutive games. They have lost six of their past eight overall.
To amplify things, the Atlanta Braves beat the Washington Nationals 7-6, meaning Atlanta (14-10, .583 winning percentage) has supplanted Miami (9-7, .565) for first place in the division based on winning percentage.
Now, a reminder: This is a team that is without 17 players from its Opening Day roster, the result of a COVID-19 outbreak inside the team following the Marlins' first series of the year at Philadelphia. The outbreak sidelined three members of their starting rotation, eight of their original 12 relievers, and their starting shortstop, catcher and right fielder. Their starting second baseman opted out of the season, and their starting left fielder has been out since Saturday while on the Bereavement List.
They managed to find success early following the loss of more than half of their roster, winning five consecutive games after a week in quarantine.
But the success has faded quickly since then.
Monday was the latest example.
