Marlins links, 6/12/18: Marlins take game, Lewis Brinson getting hot, Isan Diaz MiLB honors

Marlins beat Mad-Bum

With the Padres gone, the Marlins beat up on Madison Bumgarner and the San Francisco Giants.

Brian Anderson got things going for the Fish with an opposite-field home run in the fourth inning, Lewis Brinson added one more run with an RBI triple. Wei-Yin Chen wasn’t at his best and only pitched 4 ¹⁄₃ innings allowing four runs on six hits and walked four Giant hitters. The Marlins would respond with two more runs in the sixth inning courtesy of Cameron Maybin and Sweet Lew.

The Giants would add one more run, but another Anderson RBI in the seventh and a JT Realmuto homer is all the Marlins needed.

Sweet Lew’s offense is coming along

Brinson’s offensive struggles have been a glaring issue all year. While he may have started the season off hot and hitting above .300, he came crashing back to reality quickly. On the season, he’s batting .169 (.530 OPS)—that’s not well enough to be part of a big league club under most circumstances, but he’s been working on his game and the results are starting to show.

In June, Sweet Lew is hitting .286/.323/.714 with three home runs (nine on the season) and he’s walked twice which (10 walks on the season). If Brinson is able to turn it around now, he may just become the player the franchise envisions him to be.

Isan Diaz is healthy and playing great

Miami Marlins No. 7 prospect Isan Diaz has been named to MLB Pipeline’s team of the week. Diaz was acquired from the Brewers in the Christian Yelich trade.

This season, he has dealt with some injuries and got off to slow a start. Last week, Diaz got things going with two three-hit games, he hit safely in all seven games he played. He was nearly unstoppable last week, slashing .565/.667/.739 with four doubles, one RBI, six walks, and three stolen bases.

With current Marlins second baseman Starlin Castro potentially on the trade market, the 22-year-old Diaz could be their future at the position.

All the latest from the farm

Andrew recapped the early part of June across Diaz’s Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp and the franchise’s other minor league affiliates. Reminder: Short Season A Batavia begins their 2018 season this weekend.

Richards kicks off Game 2

Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images

Trevor Richards, the midwest’s favorite Marlin, is on the mound tonight for the second game of the Giants series. This will be Richards’ seventh major league start of the season as he’s still searching for his first win (0-3, 5.02 ERA). Richards was great with Triple-A New Orleans and has flashed good moments with the Marlins. Now, it’s all about putting it together and getting decent run support.

Chris Stratton (7-3, 4.63 ERA) has pitched great in June with a 2.70 ERA, but the Marlins were able to get to Madison Bumgarner and they’re looking to do the same tonight.

First pitch is set for 7:10pm.

Get BA and JT to DC

Don’t forget to vote for the best rookie in baseball and the best catcher in baseball. Lets get Brian Anderson and JT Realmuto to represent the Marlins in this year’s All-Star game.

To vote for BA and JT, visit www.mlb.com/all-star/ballot.