Lowly Marlins Top Brewers 8-3

Coming into tonight’s game, the Miami Marlins had won twelve of their last seventeen games. Additionally, their red hot run had resulted in winning four of their last five series with an average of 5.9 runs per game. The Marlins had never scored at least nine runs in four consecutive games. Unfortunately, they only got eight tonight.

Jimmy Nelson started for the Milwaukee Brewers in his first game since September 8th, 2017 after a right rotator cuff strain and partial anterior labrum tear. He described being able to start today like “the first day of school.” If that’s the case, the Marlins proceeded to push him into a locker and steal his lunch money.

The Marlins bats got off to a hot start with Curtis Granderson reaching first off of an error. After Garrett Cooper struck out looking, Brian Anderson hit his 11th double of the season. Starlin Castro would then ground out to Orlando Arcia at shortstop.

Very rarely am I forced to my feet during the first inning of a baseball game. I’m a couch guy. My baseball watching experience almost always consists of armchair managing, shaking my head a lot, and grumbling. Not much going on here physically. However, Christian Yelich tried turning a single into a double, JT Riddle was having NONE OF IT, and you had better believe I was on my feet.

I finally sat down. I got a chance to catch my breath. Just as my sense of wonderment and awe began to fade, the man that is single-handedly saving the name Harold snatched Lorenzo Cain’s guaranteed homer.

Jumping to the 3rd inning, with Sandy Alcantara on third and Granderson on second, Cooper watched his fourth ball land well below the zone, and claimed his spot at first. Deer Creek High School’s own Brian Anderson crushed the first pitch for his first career grand slam.

I mean wow, Just wow. Credo quia absurdum.

After getting out of a rough second inning where he gave up two hits and a run, Sandy Alcantara worked efficiently. Utilizing his breaking ball well, he produced plenty of ground balls. If anything, some of tonight’s quality start has to be chalked up to some excellent defensive play. In addition to the aforementioned Riddle and Ramirez magic, the shift continued to yield positive results and the third inning double play helped keep away the bad juju of the second inning.

According to the broadcast, JT Riddle is the first Marlins center fielder with two outfield assists in his first three games since Mark Kotsay way back in 1997.

Nick Anderson and Adam Conley worked to close out the game after Sandy relinquished control in the 7th. Yasmani Grandal managed to take Conley deep in what amounted to garbage time with one out in the bottom of the nine inning.

Marlins look for the series sweep tomorrow in Milwaukee. Take a look at the advance report from MLB.com

“On April 22, 2018, Smith fanned 10 in Milwaukee. This year, he has a 33.8 percent strikeout rate. Smith has logged 80 strikeouts in 61 innings, and he has a WHIP of 0.97. He’s also allowed 10 home runs, matching his total from 2018 (in 77 1/3 innings).

Peralta’s last three outings came in relief, but he was needed back in a starting role after Jhoulys Chacin joined Gio Gonzalez on Milwaukee’s injured list. If Peralta clears the first inning, he is typically in good shape.”

Fangraphs.com

Marlins vs. Brewers box score (Baseball Theater)

Fish Picks

1. Which starting pitcher lasts longer? (Alcantara/Nelson)
2. Over/Under 95.5 pitches for Sandy Alcantara? (Over/Under) 95 total!
3. Over/Under 3:00 time of game? (Over/Under)
4. Will Starlin Castro drive in at least one run? (Yes/No)
5. Who wins? (Marlins/Brewers)