Marlins Lose Another Blowout, 9-1

The Marlins started off their doubleheader on the wrong foot, losing 9-1 to the Atlanta Braves.

• Pablo López 5.1 IP, 6 H, 6 R (5 ER), 2 BB, 5 K (96 pitches)
• Touki Toussaint: 6.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K (83 pitches)

Despite the line, Lopez put together a strong start up until the 6th inning. After allowing a lead-off home run to Ronald Acuña Jr., he was able to recover and cruise through 3 innings.

Isaac Galloway drove home Derek Dietrich in the 2nd inning to tie the game at 1. It was the 28-year-old’s first Major League RBI and his first double. The Marlins made it look like the game would be competitive throughout. Unfortunately, this was the closest they’d get to the Braves on the scoresheet.

Johan Camargo broke the tie in the fourth on an RBI double of his own, and Freddie Freeman hit a sacrifice fly to put the Braves up by 2. Lopez was able to limit the damage, but only for a couple of innings.

The Braves put up a run and had men on second and third with only one out, prompting Don Mattingly to pull the plug and put Javy Guerra in to clean up the mess. However, Guerra wasn’t of much help, either. He immediately allowed a walk to load the bases, and followed it up by allowing two straight hits for a combined 4 runs. Suddenly, the Marlins were down, 8-1.

The blowout was made worse with the news that Martín Prado is going on the disabled list with a left quad strain. He was originally day-to-day. Prado tried to chase down a shallow fly ball in left field, and was seen trying to stretch it out during the 2nd inning.

The Fish will look to split today’s doubleheader tonight at 7:35 EST. Merandy Gonzalez will be making his first ever start for Miami.

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The Miami Marlins are 2-8 in August, have lost their last four series, and somehow, it’s about to get even harder. Starting with game one of today’s split doubleheader at Atlanta, the Fish begin a stretch where the will play the Braves twice, as well as the Nationals, Yankees, and Red Sox. These opponents have a combined record of 283-187 (.602 win pct.).

Luckily, a hot Pablo López will start for Miami. He had his share of struggles earlier this season, but has strung together two greats starts, combining for 3 ER in 13 IP. He has lowered his season ERA to 4.32 in 41 ²⁄₃ IP.

Touki Toussaint will be on the mound for Atlanta. Toussaint is a local guy from Coral Springs. He’ll be making his MLB debut today.

As a teenager, he formed a relationship with the late Marlins legend José Fernández.

In 21 starts between AA and AAA, Toussaint posted a 2.68 ERA and 139 strikeouts in 117 ¹⁄₃ IP.

Also notice that NL Rookie of the Year contender Brian Anderson is absent from the afternoon lineup. It’s only the second Marlins game all season played with him on the bench. Expect him to start Game 2 tonight, though.

Game Thread Question: Which pitcher in the Marlins rotation are you most excited to see in the future?