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Miami lost 2-0 in Game 2 of the NLDS on Wednesday, thanks to a pair of solo shots by Dansby Swanson and Travis d’Arnaud. The Fish got everything they could have hoped for from Pablo López, but the offense wasn’t up to the task against Braves rookie hurler Ian Anderson.
5.0 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 7 K, 2 HR (89 pitches) for Pablo López
— Fish Stripes (@fishstripes) October 7, 2020
Not bad for a guy making his postseason debut and working on 13 days' rest pic.twitter.com/wj6q4VWfuT
The Marlins now find themselves in an 0-2 hole and needing to win three straight against a Braves team that has won eight of the 12 games the two teams have played so far this season. The club will turn to Sixto Sanchez to save their season, while the Braves will send out Kyle Wright, against whom the Fish have put up eight runs in seven innings over two outings in the regular portion of the schedule.
The game lacked the in-game Ronald Acuña drama from a day prior, but plenty was being said off the field, and some important conclusions were made. First, maybe the Braves shouldn’t be complaining.
— Fish Stripes (@fishstripes) October 7, 2020
Second, Acuña certainly shouldn’t be pulling this bush-league nonsense afterward. Don Mattingly did not hesitate to call the play below — which came immediately after Tuesday’s HBP — dirty.
Nobody talks about that who cares about a middle infielder getting spike on the knee
— Miguel Rojas (@MRojasOfficial) October 7, 2020
This is the latest in a number of troubling on-field incidents in the 22-year-old’s career, and perhaps the most troubling. As one the best players in the game, one would hope he’d soon grow out of it.
As for his postgame social-media messages aimed at the Marlins after Game 1, well, this was his line in Game 2:
Golden Sombrero for Acuña
— Fish Stripes (@fishstripes) October 7, 2020
That’s four strikeouts in four trips to the plate for those who may not know the lingo. The Braves got the win and added momentum, but it seems there’s a little karmic justice for Fish fans in there somewhere.
No matter how the season ends up for Miami, it’s been quite a year, and there’s plenty of reason for optimism heading into 2021. But don’t take it from me, take it from Tim Kurkjian.
ESPN's Tim Kurkjian on the Marlins rebuild: "I think this is going to have a happy ending."
— Fish Stripes (@fishstripes) October 7, 2020
Full interview: https://t.co/yKnD7GMBrN pic.twitter.com/qkC0MM2Z74
A couple of walk-off links before I sign off:
- The Ringer MLB Show also discussed the Marlins-Acuna beef.
- Nick Anderson wasn’t a Marlin for very long unfortunately, as he’s morphed into one of the game’s elite relievers since joining the Rays. So maybe you didn’t catch his story before he was shipped out of town, but it’s a worthy read.