MIAMI — Jake Burger hit a game-winning three-run homer and the Miami Marlins scored four times in the ninth to beat the Chicago White Sox 7-4 on Sunday.
Down to their last strike, the Marlins tied it on Josh Bell's RBI double off White Sox closer Michael Kopech (2-8). Chicago left fielder Tommy Pham tracked down Bell's drive but mistimed his leap at the wall that scored Vidal Brujan from third.
Jesús Sánchez was intentionally walked before Burger connected with a 431-foot blast for Miami's ninth walk-off win of the season. Acquired by the Marlins from the White Sox at the trade deadline last July, Burger was in a 1-for-14 funk until his homer.
''Stepping into the box I felt it was storybook because of my history with the Sox,'' Burger said. ''I was fortunate to get a pitch that I could do something with. Obviously, a cool moment but I wish nothing but the best for the Sox. Anytime you hit a walk-off home run you're going to remember that.''
Brujan drew a leadoff walk to start the ninth. Nick Fortes then advanced Brujan with a sacrifice bunt toward the first base area which Kopech fielded and tagged him out. But Brujan continued sprinting and reached third.
Like Burger, Bell overcame recent offensive struggles and snapped an 0-for-21 slide during the homestead with his extra-base hit in the ninth.
''Burger and Bell, they're best buddies in that clubhouse and they've been grinding through this thing together,'' Marlins manager Skip Schumaker said. ''But they're such pros and they just felt like they're just one swing away to getting back to where they should be. Hopefully both of those at-bats are gonna get them back on track and get them hot and start to carry us more.''
The White Sox squandered three-run leads the last two games of the series and dropped to a major league worst 26-66. It is the second time they fell to 40 games under .500.
