The Marlins lose 5-3 as Godley and the Arizona bullpen keep the Fish at bay

The Marlins were on national television tonight (FS1), and showed strong pitching efforts from Elieser Hernandez and Ben Meyer in a spot start for the injured Jose Urena. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough as Zack Godley and the Arizona bullpen kept the Marlins at bay, in a 5-3 victory to tie the four-game set at one game a piece.

As the starter, Hernandez had a good night overall. Other than giving up two runs in the third inning on back-to-back doubles, he shut the opposition down - including eight strike outs over his four innings of work. Hard to make fun about that effort; well, except maybe for one moment ...

The Marlins got on the board in the bottom of the fourth on a ground out by Bryan Holaday that scored JT Riddle from third to cut the lead to Arizona lead to 2-1.

Ben Meyer came in and got the first two outs in the fifth, but left a hanging curveball up to John Ryan Murphy who smacked a two-run double down the left field line to put the D’Backs up 4-1.

Starlin Castro hit back with a bomb to left field to grab some of the momentum back in the bottom of the frame.

Both bullpens settled in until Justin Bour came up in the bottom of the eighth with the bases loaded and two out against Yoshi Hirano.

Hirano entered the game with a 22-game scoreless streak. Sadly for the Fish, Bour lined out to center end the inning, slamming the door on the Marlins last true threat of the game.

These two teams will play again tomorrow night at 7:10 as Wei-Yin Chen brings his 6.70 ERA to the mound to face off against the D’backs and their starting lefty, Robbie Ray.

fangraphs.com

King Fish: John Ray Murphy, who drove in three runs for the Diamondbacks

Flounder: Miami’s offense who wasn’t able to punch through with a big inning tonight

Turning Point: Lamb’s third inning double

Attendance: 6,159

Please leave any Icthy picks in the comments below. Remember, we introduced a new grand prize for the contest this season!

Matchup Summary

This would have been José Ureña’s turn in the rotation, but due to shoulder inflammation landing him on the disabled list, Elieser Hernandez will get his fourth start of the season. Hernandez is 0-3 with a 4.50 ERA this season as a starter, and will likely need some fairly significant help from the Marlins offense to get his first victory in this role. He faced the Diamondbacks on June 1 in Arizona and got rocked for five runs (and three home runs) in only three innings of work.

The Diamondbacks were fresh off of a four-game sweep of Pittsburgh coming into this series, and are in a race for the top spot in the NL West with the Dodgers. It may still be June, but this is not a series that the Diamondbacks want to let get away, so they should come out tonight fighting. They will be placing their trust behind RHP Zack Godley who has had issues with his mechanics this season, which has led to early season struggles.

It should be a high-scoring affair, and one that the Marlins may need their hot bullpen to come through again in, if they are to guarantee at least a series split tonight. Reminder: the game is being broadcast nationally on FS1 (7:10pm first pitch).

Thread Question

Which prospect would you rather see start tonight on the mound for the Fish tonight (instead of Elieser Hernandez)?