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The Marlins flirted with their first no-hitter since 2013, but Mitch Haniger dinged a double off of Kyle Barraclough with two outs remaining in the 9th to end their bid. Nevertheless, the Marlins came away with a 5-0 victory and evened the series at one game apiece.
Wei-Yin Chen toed the rubber tonight for the Marlins facing down right-hander Yovani Gallardo. Chen came into Safeco Field with a 1-0 record and 7.00 ERA in two games and questions surrounding his reliability after signing an $80-million-dollar contract in 2016. Showing a commanding presence on the mound tonight, Chen quieted many of his critics. The 31-year-old Taiwanese native pitched with conviction through seven innings before handing the reins over to reliever Brad Ziegler.
Ziegler worked a 1-2-3 eighth, capped by a dicey save from Miguel Rojas, catching Jarrod Dyson by a hair. Amongst the other heroics, the infield squad grew their errorless streak to 23 games. Barraclough came into the ninth in a non-save situation and struck out Mike Freeman before the Mariners extinguished the historic bid. Here’s Chen’s post-game comments on his masterful performance Tuesday night.
.@Marlins left-hander Wei-Yin Chen credits command of his changeup and catcher A.J. Ellis' gameplan for hitless outing Tuesday night. #MLB pic.twitter.com/TYLAD8vgnT
— FOX Sports Florida (@FOXSportsFL) April 19, 2017
-Fox Sports Florida (@FOXSportsFL)
Not to be forgotten, the Marlins dominated the offensive side of the ball in front of 16,126 in the Emerald City. After Monday night’s lethargic performance behind the plate, the Fish recorded 10 hits and 6 RBI. Kicking off the night, Dee Gordon doubled the first pitch deep to center, his third double of the season. Preceded by a J.T. Realmuto single, Christian Yelich drove in Gordon on a high-flying infield single.
The second and third inning continued the momentum, with Derek Dietrich scoring on a wild pitch and Justin Bour’s two-run homer, his second of the season. Scoring cooled through the top of the ninth before Rojas singled, stole second, and was carried in by a sacrifice fly courtesy of rookie J.T. Riddle.
Despite being within at least four outs of the season’s first no-hitter twice in three days, tonight’s performance keeps the team a half game back of the top of the NL East. Hopefully, we can see similar showings as the team continues with seven games remaining in their away stretch before returning to Marlins Park on the 28th.
Edinson Volquez (0-1, 3.45) vs. Felix Hernandez (1-1, 2.95) kick off the rubber game of the series tomorrow afternoon at 3:40 ET.
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Source: FanGraphs
Attendance: 16,126
Hero of the Game: Wei-Yin Chen (+.271)
Goats of the Game: J.T. Riddle and Dee Gordon (-.02)
Play of the Game: Justin Bour homered, Christian Yelich scored (+.137 WPA)