8th inning bites Marlins in loss

Marlins right-hander Sandy Alcantara allowed five walks on 98 pitches in six innings of work, holding the Giants lineup in check, but a game-winning two-run, ground-rule double from Brandon Crawford against Wei-Yin Chen in the eighth propelled San Francisco past the Marlins, 3-1. The Fish were hoping to sweep a series for the third time in the last four series. Unfortunately, their offense offered minimal support and their bullpen faltered.

Miami was expected to face lefty Drew Pomeranz Thursday, but Giants manager Bruce Bochy moved Pomeranz’s start to Friday. As a result, Tyler Beede—a Vanderbilt product—made his fourth career start and held the Marlins to a run on five hits over six innings. The Marlins got on the board in the third inning, as Alcantara drove in Miguel Rojas with a two-out single to left.

Dating back to his previous home outing on May 19 versus the New York Mets, Alcantara has now tossed 15 straight scoreless innings on his home field.

Miami’s bullpen coughed up the 1-0 lead in the seventh. Mike Yastrzemski, facing Tayron Guerrero, grounded a short dribbler to the right side. Starlin Castro was playing in with a baserunner on third and the ball just blew past his glove for an RBI single.

In the eighth, Adam Conley gave up a walk and a single before being replaced by Austin Brice. He walked Evan Longoria on four pitches, giving way to Chen. The veteran lefty has performed better lately, though rarely in such a high-leverage situation (tie game with the bases loaded and only one out).

Crawford ripped a double to right that bounced once before going out of play, bringing home Buster Posey and Brandon Belt. (Yes, the same Crawford who once racked up seven hits in a game at Marlins Park in 2016.)

Neil Walker, who finished 0-for-2, exited the ballgame Thursday after suffering a right quad strain in the home half of the sixth. Walker is listed as day-to-day, but a stint on the 10-day injured list seems likely. Don Mattingly acknowledged that in the clubhouse afterwards (“The way he pulls up tells you it’s going to be a little bit”).

The Marlins, at 19-35, will now embark on a six-game road trip: San Diego from Friday through Sunday late afternoon (“Late Night With The Marlins”), followed by a three-game set against Milwaukee from Tuesday to Thursday.

The Padres series opener will feature lefty Caleb Smith, who pitched poorly in his last outing against the Washington Nationals this past Sunday afternoon, surrendering five runs in three innings. Padres lefty Joey Lucchesi will take the ball for San Diego. First pitch is scheduled for 10:10 p.m. ET.

Giants vs. Marlins box score (MLB.com)

Fish Picks answer key

1. Beede
2. Under
3. Over
4. Yes
5. Giants