MIA 9, SD 3: Bats Deliver In Unexpected Ways

Miami salvage a series split thanks to names who you’d least expect to hear from.

A day after Braxton Garrett delivered his most promising effort to date at the Major League level, manager’s Don Mattingly’s plan of attack for Sunday’s series finale – the 100th game of the season for the Marlins – against the San Diego Padres was the bullpen. His starter for this, another bullpen day for the battered and beaten Marlins’ rotation; John Curtiss.

In Curtiss’ first opening assignment since May 21st, the right-hander eeked out a scorless first inning, lowering his season ERA to 2.56.

All in all, the Marlins pen delivered, limiting San Diego to 5 hits in a 9-3 Miami win to earn a series split. Of note Sunday was Miami’s ability to get to Yu Darvish, tagging the Padres’ ace for 4 runs over his 5 innings pitched.

The sticks who had most to say on Sunday came courtesy of Magneruis Sierra, Deven Marrero, and Lewis Brinson.

For Sierra, whose offensive contribution appears insignifcant in the grand scheme of Sunday’s final score, his 5th inning RBI double should serve more for some personal gratification, keeping him away from the wrong side of history.

Driving in the prior-noted Marrero in his 141st plate appearance, Sierra’s first RBI of the season keeps him one plate appearance behind Caleb Joseph in 2016 for the most plate appearances in a single-season without driving in a single run.

For Marrero, who entered play with no hits in 8 career at-bats as a Marlin, the former first round pick would have a career-day, finishing with 3 hits, including his first home run since 2017. Marrero started Sunday in place of shortstop Miguel Rojas.

As for Brinson, his third home run of the season would cap off a 5-run 6th inning, extending the Marlins lead to 7. Brinson entered in the 5th inning, pinch-hitting for pinch-hitter Zach Thompson, who, in turn, was pinch hitting for Anthony Bender.

Lost amid the shuffle of the baby bats was that of the contributions of Brian Anderson and everybody’s favorite trade candidate, Starling Marte.

Anderson tagged Darvish for a solo home run in the 4th in just his second game since returning from the 60-Day IL, while Marte quietly strung together his 8th game of at least 3 hits. To add insult to injury, Marte’s 2 stolen bases Sunday now have him at 21 on the season and sole possession of 2nd place in the NL.

“Andy provides us with so many more options…I see him as another of those everyday guys.” said Mattingly postgame.

The Marlins will have an off-day Monday as they travel to Baltimore where they’ll begin a three game series with the Orioles starting on Tuesday. Per Mattingly, the team is expected to start Sandy Alcantara as he returns from the Berevemant List.

Baseball-Savant