Marlins nearly complete historic comeback (twice) vs. Mets

The Miami Marlins were on pace to rewrite history Thursday night, twice.

Miami erased an eight-run deficit, which would have marked the largest comeback in franchise history, only for the Mets to answer a half-inning later with a rally of their own and push the score to 14-8.

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Even after that reality check, Miami came within a run of pulling off the improbable, ultimately falling 15-14 after one final offensive burst.

“Nobody can question this group’s willingness to hang in there and fight until it’s done,” Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said after the game.

The floodgates opened with Janson Junk, who gave up eight runs through just three innings.

The game comes off him having a very solid August, in which he had a 2.59 ERA while making five starts.

It has been a rough start to September for the Marlins’ rotation. Eury Pérez and Sandy Alcantara have each allowed 11 earned runs through two starts this month, meaning their top three available starters have already combined to allow 31 runs less than 10 days into September.

While each pitcher has put together encouraging stretches this season, they have picked the wrong time to hit their roughest patch.

“One thing that we’ve done through the majority of this season is pitch well,” McCullough said. “We had a tough series in that regard. This thing runs in cycles a bit.”

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One encouraging sign is that All-Star pitcher Max Meyer has resumed his throwing program as he works his way back from a neck injury, although it remains unclear whether he will have enough time to return before the end of the season.

The first signs of a comeback came in the bottom of the fourth, when Graham Pauley drove in Miami’s first run before Joe Mack followed with a two-run single to cut the deficit to 8-3.

They followed that up with a five-run sixth, sparked by Owen Caissie’s solo home run and a two-run single from Jakob Marsee to tie the score 8-8.

Even after the Mets struck a dagger through Miami’s comeback with a six-run seventh inning, the Marlins kept chipping away, scoring once in the seventh, twice in the eighth and three more times in the ninth to come within a run.

Marsee led the way at the plate, finishing 4 for 6 with three RBI, while Mack went 3 for 5 with a home run and three RBI of his own.

The Marlins (72-74) have Thursday off before opening a three-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers (88-57) at 7:10 p.m. Friday at loanDepot park.

Right-hander Ryan Gusto (1-4, 4.23 ERA) is expected to start for Miami opposite Dodgers left-hander Blake Snell (3-1, 1.97 ERA).

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