Game Notes from Monday’s Marlins Scrimmage

MIAMI—The Marlins had another simulated scrimmage on Monday as Opening Day is less than two weeks away. The Marlins plan to have more simulated games and have also scheduled two scrimmages against the Atlanta Braves on July 21^st and 22^nd at Truist Park.

The Marlins were split up into two teams as one was in their home white uniforms and the other team sported their Miami blue spring training uniforms. Marlins prospect RHP

Nick Neidert was the starting pitcher for the white team. The 25 year old right-handedpitcher Robert Dugger got the start for the Miami blue team. Both pitchers are competing for the fifth spot on the Marlins pitching rotation.

In the first two innings, both didn’t get much offense going. Both teams had a hit as Corey Dickerson doubled to left in the top of the first and Miguel Rojas had a broken bat single to lead off the bottom of the second.

The Miami blue team threatened in the top of the third. Infielder Eddy Alvarez singled into right with one out. He would also steal second and advance to third on a fielding error. Neidert would settle down as he struck out Jonathan Villar on a 3-2 changeup and Jon Berti grounded out to third to end the threat.

Heading into the fifth, Nick Neidert was pulled from the game. Neidert did a good job of forcing weak contact and attacking the bottom half of the zone. He completed four innings allowing three hits, no runs, two walks and struck out three. Rule 5 Draft pick Sterling Sharp came in relief for Neidert.

In the top of the fifth, the Miami blue team failed to score after loading the bases. Sean Rodriguez got started with a one-out double down the right field line and Eddy Alvarez walked. Both runners moved into scoring position due to a wild pitch.

Villar would strike out swinging but Berti would walk to load the bases. Corey Dickerson would fail to get the job done as he flew out to left field as the white team kept the game scoreless.

In the top of the fifth inning, Robert Dugger was also pulled from the game. Dugger pitched four innings allowing two hits, no runs, no walks and struck out two. Right-hander Aaron Northcraft came in relief.

The blue team also had something in the bottom of the second with two outs. Chad Wallach ripped a grounded to third for an infield single. Sean Rodriguez was able to knock it down and keep it in the infield. Magneuris Sierra singled through the right side putting runners at the corners. Sierra would later steal second but Wallach was thrown out at home trying to score.

After the fifth inning, both defenses were pulled off the field—it was just the pitcher, hitter and catcher, leaving the outcomes of all balls in play up to the imagination.

Drew Steckenrider came in relief for Sterling Sharp. Steckenrider would give up a leadoff double to Isan Diaz. He would bounce by striking out Brian Anderson, Sierra popping out to the shortstop and Lewin Diaz flies out to right.

Yimi Garcia came in relief for Aaron Northcraft. Garcia had a 1-2-3 inning as he got Berti to groundout, Isan Diaz to fly out to left and Brian Anderson flew out to right.

After one inning, Steckenrider was down for the day. Right-handed pitcher Ryan Cook came in relief.

Cook had a strong outing as he got Magneuris Sierra to ground out to second, struck out Lewin Diaz and also got Jesús Sánchez to ground out second.

Nick Vincent came in relief for Yimi Garcia. Vincent started it off a line out by Berti. Anderson singled up the middle and Sierra is a weak grounder back to the pitcher for the second out. Sánchez lined one into right field which could have been a single or double.

Marlins manager Don Mattingly mentioned earlier today that Sánchez and Lewin Díaz—who happened to be the two youngest participants in this sim game—are candidates for the 30-man Opening Day roster. The Marlins may be looking to add another left-handed bat and 12-year veteran Matt Joyce hasn’t practiced with the team yet.