Trevor Richards gets his first major league victory as the Marlins beat the Giants 3-1

Fan favorite Trevor Richards has pitched quite well in triple-A this year, but had yet to translate this success to a big league victory. Things were shaky in the first inning for Richards, as he walked the first two batters, and then threw a wild pitch to create a real jam for himself: second and third with no one out.

Richards gathered himself and bore down.

He struck out Andrew McCutchen swinging for out number one.

Then, JT Riddle made a fantastic diving stop on in the hole on a Brandon Crawford hard ground ball. He got up and fired a bullet to first that Justin Bour snared on a short hop.

One in, but the damage stopped right there as Richards got Evan Longoria to ground out to Riddle as well, though in a less dramatic fashion.

In the bottom of the third, the Marlins would strike back. Derek Dietrich singled, Brian Anderson was hit in the hand, and with one out Justin Bour walked to load the bases. Starlin Castro lined a single to left to tie the game. Then Riddle, the defensive star of the first inning, came through with a double down the right field line to score two, and put the Fish up 3-1.

That would be all that Trevor Richards and the relief staff would need. After throwing 14 balls in the first inning, Richards threw 16 balls total over the next four innings combined. He moved the around around the strike zone while delivering an outstanding change up that gave him a swing and miss pitch to hold San Francisco at bay (pun intended).

Richards went 6 innings, giving up only two hits, and the first inning run. The Marlins defense supported the pitching staff tonight, and the bullpen supported Richards.

Conley and Ziegler held the Giants down and Kyle Barraclough shut the door to get his fourth save of the year.

Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Richards got his first major league win tonight by being a true pitcher who used craft and guile to efficiently get through his final five innings and give the Fish their second straight win again the Giants. The Marlins will give the ball to Caleb Smith tomorrow to try and clinch the four game set.

fangraphs

Turning Point: The diving stop by Riddle to stop the bleeding and turn things around for Trevor Richards.

King Fish: Who else? Richards with his first victory.

Flounder: The previously hot Giants offense

Attendance: 5,928

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Matchup Preview

After last night’s thrilling game, which featured heroics from J.T. Realmuto and Brian Anderson, the Fish will look again to their young lineup to score, this time against RHP Chris Stratton.

Stratton has only averaged 5 innings/outing over his last three outings, and only went four innings his last time out. Hopefully the Marlins can get to him early, and get fan favorite Trevor Richards his first major league win after having had plenty of success in New Orleans so far in 2018.

First pitch of game two of this four game set is scheduled for 7:10. Get your Fish hat on!

Thread Question

Trevor Richards attended Division II Drury University. Do you have less confidence in a prospect if they came out of a smaller program?