MLB Score: Marlins 9, Rays 1

With Fernandez on the mound and offense playing well there was nothing the Rays could do the stop the Marlins who are now 25-22 and next travel to Atlanta to take on the Braves first pitch is at 7:35pm.

1st Inning:

Top

Drew Smyly got Adieny Hechavarria looking, Martin Prado then got on base with infield single. Marcell Ozuna stayed hot hitting a single and Prado advanced to second. J.T. Realmuto went down swinging and Cole Gillespie flied out to center for the third out. While the Marlins did no damage they worked Smyly, who threw a lot pitches in the inning.

Bottom:

Jose Fernandez showed Smyly how it was done this inning having Guyer fly out, Miller did reach base off an infield single, Evan Longoria also flew out, and Pearce grounded out.

2nd Inning

Top:

The work in the first payed off as while Johnson grounded out Derek Dietrich got things started off with a double. Miguel Rojas after a great at bat singled bringing Dietrich home, Rojas advanced to third after an error by Smyly. With the Marlins now up 1-0  Hechavarria hit a two run homer putting the Marlins up 3-0. That all the damage te Marlins could do Prado lined out to end the inning.

3rd Inning

Top:

Ozuna hit a fly ball to right field, Realmuto grounded out., and Gillespie was walked. Then during Chris Johnson's at bat Smyly was one pitch away from getting out of the inning however Johnson had other plans and hit the Marlins second two run home run of the game. With the Marlins now up 5-0 Derek Dietrich promptly struck out swinging.

Bottom:

The Rays got to Jose Fernandez ever so slightly. Casali flied out, but Brandon Guyer hit a solo homer to put the Rays on the board. Still up 5-1 Fernandez the homer did not seem bother him that much as Miller popped out and Longoria went down swinging.

4th Inning

Top:

A one, two, three inning for Smyly. Rojas lined out, Mathis struck out looking, and Hechavarria bunt grounded out.

Bottom:

Fernandez got into a some trouble but avoided having any more runs being scored. Pearce grounded out and Souza Jr. struck out swinging. However Morrison and Dickerson hit singles, and Motter was walked to load the bases. After a talk on the mound Fernandez got Casali to foul out.

5th Inning

Top:

Another quick one for Smyly Prado grounded out, Ozauna lined out, and Realmuto flied out.

Bottom:

Showing how dominate he can be Fernandez struck out Guyer and Miller swinging. While Longoria did single it was all for not as  Pearce also went down swinging.

6th Inning

Top:

Gillespie popped out while Johnson and Dietrich grounded out for another quicj, quiet inning.

Bottom:

Fernandez got Souza Jr. looking, Morrison to ground out, and Dickerson swinging.

7th Inning

Top:

Ryan Garton made his MLB debut replacing Smyly and he had a good start to his career having Rojas and Mathis ground out, while Hechavarria did single Garton got out of the inning after Prado also grounded out.

Bottom:

Fernandez was in a word dealing. Striking out Motter, Casali, and Guyer.

8th Inning

Top:

Finally the bats woke up again for the Marlins as Ozuna and Realmuto singled. Gillespie then hit a ground rule double bringing home Ozuna and Realmuto went to third. With the score now 6-1 Johnson singled bringing home Realmuto and advancing Gillespie to third. Dietrich kept rolling when he hit a single Gillespie scored and Johnson went to third. The Marlins were up 8-1 before Rojas grounded into a double play ending the inning.

Bottom:

Fernandez's great day on the mound was over. He was replaced by McGowan who walked Miller, had Longoria fly out, and struck out Pearce and Mahtook.

9th Inning:

Top:

Ryan Webb relived Garton and he did not fair much better. Hechavarria singled, Prado flied out, Ozuna struck out, Realmuto singled, Gillespie singled causing Hechavarria to score and Realmuto to third. With the score now 9-1 Webb was pulled in favor of Dana Eveland who got out of the inning striking out Johnson.

Bottom:

Nick Wittgren came on for the save. Logan Morrison flied out, Corey Dickerson singled, Taylor Motter was caught looking, and Dave Conger went down swinging to end the game. Marlins win 9-1 over the Rays.

Source: FanGraphs

Hero of the Game: Jose Fernandez  (7-2) and his twelve strike outs

Goat of the Game: Drew Smyly (2-6), his early inning struggles over shadowed a decent start

Play of the Game: Chris Johnson's two run homer which broke the game open for the Marlins