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General view of the Miami Marlins logo in left field at loanDepot park on April 17, 2022.
The Miami Marlins’ Dominican Summer League (DSL) team erupted for a jaw-dropping 29-0 victory over the DSL Rangers Blue on Friday. This margin of victory had not been seen in professional baseball since the Chicago Orphans crushed Louisville 36-7 on June 29, 1897.
The offense ignited early, plating 13 runs across the first four innings, effectively taking the game out of reach. After a scoreless fifth inning, the floodgates reopened with another 13-run onslaught in the sixth inning, ensuring the final scoreline reflected one of the most lopsided wins in baseball history.
What It Means for the Marlins’ Prospect Pipeline
To appreciate the enormity of this win, consider its rarity: No team in the modern MLB era (post-1900) has won by such a wide margin in a single game. The only comparable performance was a 30-3 rout by the Texas Rangers over the Orioles in 2007.
Even more remarkable, this is only the fifth instance since 2007, and notably the third instance occurring in the DSL, where a team has won by 29 or more runs. That pattern speaks to the wild scoring volatility present at this rookie level of play.
The DSL serves as the entry point for many of MLB’s future stars, with rookies, international signees, and late bloomers competing in a high-volume, developmental setting. The Marlins’ performance demonstrates the talent being cultivated at their Boca Chica North academy–a complex that produces players typically signed out of Latin American talent pools.
Achievements like the 29-run explosion highlight how depth and offensive potential are spreading through the organization. It signals an academy rich in both tools and confidence.
How Rare Is a 29-Run Game?
A win of this magnitude isn’t just uncommon–it’s nearly extinct. Since MLB’s earliest days, only two instances exceed this margin: the aforementioned 1897 Orphans victory and the 2007 Rangers’ monstrous 30–3 win.
In the DSL context, these outliers underscore the robust variance in rookie ball, where pitching depth and consistency often lag behind offensive potential. That context helps frame the Marlins’ performance not as an anomaly of strength, but as a complex outcome of developmental baseball’s structure.
This feat unfolded amid a regular season defined by a newly introduced playoff structure: the DSL Cup, which allows 16 teams into postseason play via wildcards and division titles. Throughout the 72-game regular schedule, consistent performance is emphasized.
While blowouts like the Marlins’ can significantly boost run differential–a tiebreaker under the format–they also stand as morale and momentum drivers during a long season.
How the DSL Marlins Are Faring This Season
Through the midpoint of the 2025 season, the DSL Marlins have emerged as genuine contenders in their division. In the second-half standings, Miami holds an 11–6 record, translating to a strong .647 winning percentage. While they currently sit four games behind the division leader, they remain firmly in the playoff mix and continue to keep pace with the top teams in the Dominican Summer League East.
Over their last ten games, the DSL Marlins have played to an even 5-5 record, indicating occasional bumps but also flashes of dominance. Notably, they’re riding the momentum of their historic 29–0 victory, which has propelled their run differential to a solid +37. That number suggests the team’s offensive firepower isn’t a one-off anomaly but part of a broader trend of consistent scoring and competent run prevention throughout the season.
Their current trajectory positions them well for a potential berth in the newly created DSL Cup playoffs, which welcomes 16 teams into the postseason. While one spectacular performance like the 29-run blowout captures headlines, it’s the steady accumulation of wins and positive run differential that truly signals playoff potential. If the DSL Marlins can sustain their offensive production and shore up any inconsistencies, they have a real shot at contending deep into the summer.
The DSL Marlins also made a significant addition to their roster. The club recently signed 20-year-old right-hander Luis Gómez as an international free agent–known for his lively fastball and developing secondary pitches.
Though slightly older than many DSL prospects, his physical maturity could fast-track his development, potentially making him a valuable arm for a pitching staff eager to support the team’s playoff ambitions.
Alyssa Polczynski Alyssa Polczynski is a multimedia journalist covering Major League Baseball for Heavy.com. She has experience as an editorial producer for MLB.com and contributed to the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR). More about Alyssa Polczynski
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