Marlins push Twins to the brink of playoff elimination with after victory in 13 innings

Griffin Conine hit a two-run single in the top of the 13th inning as the Miami Marlins outlasted the Minnesota Twins for an 8-6 win on Thursday night in Minneapolis.

Otto Lopez also had an RBI double during a three-run 13th for the Marlins (59-100), who won the decisive game of the three-game series. Miami’s Jesus Sanchez had three hits and Jake Burger finished 2 for 5 with a double and two RBI.

Brooks Lee hit a two-run double and Carlos Correa went 3-for-5 with a solo home run for Minnesota.

The extra-innings loss puts the Twins three games back in the American League wild-card playoff race with only three games left in the regular season. That means Minnesota (82-77) will have to sweep the Baltimore Orioles this weekend and either the Kansas City Royals (85-74) or the Detroit Tigers (85-74) would have to be swept for the Twins to sneak into the postseason.

Marlins right-hander Anthony Maldonado (1-1) earned his first career victory by pitching two innings of scoreless relief. Right-hander Darren McCaughan picked up his first career save after allowing one unearned run in the bottom of the 13th.

Twins right-hander Scott Blewett (1-1) took his first career loss. He gave up three runs (two earned) on two hits in 1 2/3 innings.

The score was tied 4-4 after nine innings and 5-5 after 10 innings.

Miami finally broke through against Blewett in the 13th. Lopez hit a one-out double to drive in Dane Myers from second base and make it 6-5.

The Marlins then loaded the bases with two outs for Conine, whose single to center off Justin Topa drove in Lopez and Xavier Edwards and increased the lead to 8-5.

The Twins got back one run in the bottom of the 13th on Byron Buxton’s RBI groundout to shortstop. Correa grounded out to the pitcher in the next at-bat to end the game.

Minnesota squandered multiple opportunities in the late innings.

In the bottom of the 11th, the Twins had the bases loaded and one out.

The Marlins brought in a five-man infield, and Royce Lewis grounded into a rare 8-2 play when center fielder Javier Sanoja stationed near second base fielded the ball and threw home for the forceout. Carlos Santana flied out to center in the next at-bat to end the inning.

In the bottom of the 12th, Minnesota had runners on first and second with no outs. Ryan Jefferson popped up a bunt, and Santana was doubled off second base on the play. Willi Castro then grounded out to first.