Walk-off win gives the Marlins their fourth straight victory

If there has been one player that has given Miami fans hope so far this year, it has been Jarlin García. The Marlins starter has been remarkably consistent and effective and came into today’s game with an ERA of a cool 1.00.

For the Phillies, Zach Eflin was called up to start tonight’s game in the wake of an injury to fellow starter Ben Lively. He was making his first start in the majors since August 7, 2017 and sported a career ERA of 5.85.

Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

The game quickly settled into a pitching duel between two pitchers who rely mostly on movement and location to be effective.

In the top of the fifth, with two outs, a 3-2 change up was lined into left field by Rhys Hoskins to score Jorge Alfaro from third to put the Phillies up 1-0.

Meanwhile, the first 15 Marlins were retired by Eflin. His middling career-to-date made it all the more surprising that he was perfect through five innings of work, but he spotted his low-90s sinker with effective sliders and off-speed pitches to keep the ball off the barrel all night.

The first hit of the day for the Marlins was a bloop double to right field in the bottom of the sixth by Miguel Rojas just out of the reach of two Phillies fielders. After a fielder’s choice caught Rojas in a rundown for the first out, and Lewis Brinson was picked off first, Justin Bour came in to pinch-hit for García. He crushed a 405 foot bomb to center field to tie the game 1-1, showing no ill effects from his back spasms last weekend.

Garcia’s final line was six innings, five hits, one walk and three strikeouts on only 80 pitches. This stellar outing actually raised his ERA to 1.09 for the season.

The game then turned into a battle of the bullpens, remaining scoreless through nine.

With one out in the bottom of the 10th, Cameron Maybin tripled to center field. After an intentional walk to Rojas set up a double play, Yadiel Rivera hit a line drive single to center to score Maybin and seal the win for the Fish.

The Marlins go for their fifth straight and the sweep tomorrow night. This team is actually fun to watch right now, and they look like they are having fun as well! Let’s hope the ride continues.

Fangraphs

King Fish: Not many chances to give a shout out to Junichi Tazawa, so with the win, let’s give this to him tonight.

Flounder: Lewis Brinson, who was picked off first base in the sixth, and then lifted from the game.

Play of the game: Walk-off hit by Rivera

Attendance: 5,844

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Matchup Summary

The Marlins will be seeking their fourth straight win tonight, sixth in their last seven games, and third straight series win. They will be trusting their best starter this season, Jarlin García, to get the job done against a struggling Phillies lineup.

García, the second-year lefty who enters the game with an ERA of 1.00 and a WHIP of 0.81, has been pitching like a seasoned veteran all season. Meanwhile, the Marlins lineup has been hitting better as well, and was powered at the plate and in the field by Brian Anderson last night.

Winning makes everything better and more entertaining, and the Fish will try to keep the momentum going tonight against their NL East rivals.

Thread Question

What will Jarlin García’s ERA be at the All-Star break?