Elieser Hernandez, Harold Ramírez guide Marlins to 5-1 win

Replacing Trevor Richards in the Marlins rotation, Elieser Hernandez turned in a solid four innings of one-run baseball Sunday afternoon at Marlins Park, propelling Miami to its 40th victory of the season, 5-1.

Hernandez, making his first start since July 4 against the Washington Nationals, escaped a couple jams throughout, tossing 66 pitches and lowering his overall ERA to 4.93. As usual, the right-hander’s slider was an important out-pitch against the Diamondbacks.

The Marlins jumped on lefty Robbie Ray in the opening inning. Miguel Rojas ambushed Ray for his third homer of 2019 into The Clevelander. Rojas led off Saturday evening with a solo shot to left, as well.

In the second, Nick Ahmed singled to left. Alex Avila, the next man at the plate, drove home Ahmed from first, as Harold Ramírez’s throw from left sailed over the head of Martin Prado at third, tying the contest at one apiece.

Ray, for the most part, quieted Miami hitters, striking out 11 batters over six innings, but a whacky fifth inning went the Marlins’ way. Ramírez brought home Rojas with a two-out RBI in left after the baseball ricocheted off the glove of Arizona’s David Peralta.

Miami added some insurance to their one-run advantage in the sixth. Brian Anderson laced his 14th homer of the season to the seats in left, extending Miami’s lead to 3-1. Ramírez then drilled a two-run shot in the seventh, facing Andrew Chafin with two down.

Nick Anderson’s eighth-inning appearance was stressful at first, but the righty settled down and escaped a bases-loaded, one-out mess without any severe damage. Left-hander Jarlin García was responsible for the ninth inning, due in large part to the Sergio Romo trade that sent the former closer to the Minnesota Twins. García extended his scoreless streak to 18 consecutive innings, one of the longest such streaks by a reliever in Marlins history.

Even though Throwback Weekend has come to a close, the series has not. Miami and Arizona will finish a four-game slate Monday night at Marlins Park, as lefty Caleb Smith will take the hill. Smith’s previous outing was his best as a Marlin, allowing one hit in seven innings Tuesday night against the Chicago White Sox, punching out nine and five consecutive at one point. RHP Merrill Kelly will get the nod for the Snakes. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET.

Diamondbacks vs. Marlins box score (Baseball Theater)

Fish Picks answer key

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