Marlins blow past Padres, 9-3

Righty Trevor Richards struck out a season-high eight San Diego batters Sunday evening, as the Marlins knocked out the San Diego Padres, 9-3.

The Marlins also defeated the Padres Saturday night by the same score. It is the first time Miami has scored nine-plus runs in back-to-back games since September 22-23, 2017.

Richards opened his outing with an electric first inning, striking out Greg Garcia, Josh Naylor and Manny Machado in order. Machado finished 0-for-3 with three strikeouts.

The undrafted right-hander found success by leaning heavily on his signature changeup. Five scoreless frames lowered his season earned run average to 3.53.

The Marlins countered Matt Strahm on Sunday, their third lefty opponent in as many days. Strahm was hit hard, as Miami pounded him for six runs on seven hits in 4 ¹⁄₃ innings of work.

Catcher Jorge Alfaro opened the scoring, blasting his ninth homer to straightaway center, a two-run shot. Garrett Cooper then followed with a solo shot to straightway center as well.

In the home half of the third, bees decided to delay the contest for 28 minutes with the Marlins clinging to a 3-0 advantage. It was an unusual though not unprecedented incident; Petco Park most recently had to stop a game for that reason in 2009.

Marlins players stayed loose and had some fun with FOX Sports Florida during the stoppage:

Once the game resumed, they added insurance runs. Alfaro, who finished with two hits and a career-high four RBI, drove home two teammates with a double to right field. Brian Anderson and Harold Ramirez each finished with three hits.

The Padres received all of their offense from slugger Hunter Renfroe, who busted out two home runs, one each off Wei-Yin Chen and Jeff Brigham. In order to save arms in the bullpen, Padres manager Andy Green brought in position player Ty France to pitch the ninth.

The Marlins will have a rest on Monday, traveling to Wisconsin in preparations for a three-game duel against the Milwaukee Brewers. Pablo López, with a 3-5 mark, will get the nod Tuesday night, squaring up with the Brewers’ Chase Anderson. Miami will see familiar faces in manager Craig Counsell and 2018 NL MVP Christian Yelich (who’s a leading candidate to contend for the award again this season). First pitch is 7:40 p.m. ET.

Marlins vs. Padres box score (Baseball Theater)

Fish Picks answer key

1. Richards
2. No
3. Marlins