MIA 6, TB 8; Home run ball derails Marlins in battle of the sunshine state

Eliser Hernández: 3 IP, 4 H, 5 ER, 4 BB, 0 K, 2 HR

The Marlins and Rays battled it out in a game that consisted of 20 hits, and only a two-run score differential. The scoring went back and forth between the two teams. The Marlins had plenty of opportunities to score more than they did. The first of these opportunities came in the first inning. A lead-off double by Miguel Rojas should of started the scoring, but the Fish did nothing with it.

The second inning was not great for the Fish either. They were able to get the bases loaded, but only score one run. Cesar Puello was able to take a pitch off the arm to score the run. The Rays matched this effort and more in the next half inning. Eric Sogard blasted a two-run home run into the seats to give the Rays a 2-1 lead.

The Marlins did not wait long to respond. Jon Berti started the third inning off with a double. Brian Anderson was then hit by a pitch and Neil Walker singled to load the bases. Garrett Cooper was next and he just missed a grand slam by an inch. Kevin Kiermaier made a great jumping catch at the wall and then threw out Anderson on his way to third base. The sacrifice double play tied the game at two.

Starlin Castro batted next and took the first pitch he saw out of the yard. The two-run blast was over 400 ft. to center field. The Fish would enjoy their 4-2 lead only until the bottom of the inning. Hernández started the inning off by walking the first two batters he faced. He got the next two out, but could not get out of the inning without trouble. Sogard was next and he blasted another ball into the right field seats. The three-run shot gave the Rays a 5-4 lead.

The Fish scored two more runs in the seventh. A walk, two singles, and a sacrifice fly would give the Fish a 6-5 lead. Berti and Anderson each got an RBI for their efforts. Berti also stole second and third base, but the Fish could not get him home.

The Rays continued their trend of scoring after the Marlins in the bottom half of the inning. Austin Meadows hit a solo shot off of reliever José Quijada, tying the game at six. The Rays took the lead for good in the eighth inning.

Willy Adames started things with a home run off of Jarlin García. The Rays tagged on one more run in the inning to make it 8-6. This would be the final nail in the coffin. Jon Berti tripled in the ninth, but again the Fish could not capitalize. It was a hard fought game by both teams.

The final game of the two-game series will be at 1:10 ET. Caleb Smith will face Yonny Chirinos.

Marlins vs Rays box score (MLB.com)

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