Game Notes from Thursday’s Scrimmage

MIAMI—The Miami Marlins had another simulated scrimmage on Thursday as Opening Day is only about a week away. The Marlins plan to have more simulated games through the end of this weekend and then scheduled two scrimmages against the Atlanta Braves on July 21-22 at Truist Park.

The Marlins were split up into two teams—one was in their home white uniforms and the other team sported their Miami blue spring training uniforms. RHP Pablo López and RHP José Ureña started on the mound for the white and blue team, respectively.

One player that was not in either starting lineup for Thursday’s scrimmage was Jonathan Villar. The Miami Herald’s Jordan McPherson reported that Villar had minor back spasms and sat him out as a precaution.

In the bottom of the second, the white team had a chance to score with a leadoff single by Garrett Cooper. Harold Ramirez would get hit by the pitch putting runners on first and second with no outs. Jorge Alfaro singled into right field but was thrown at first as Lewin Diaz cut the throw to home and fired to Berti at first. The white team still had both runners in scoring position with one out but couldn’t drive either of them in. Miguel Rojas struck out swinging and Ryan Lavarnway flew out to right to end the threat.

After recording the first out in the bottom of the sixth, José Ureña was pulled from the game. Ureña threw 5 ¹⁄₃ scoreless innings while allowing five hits, two walks and three strikeouts. Yimi Garcia entered in relief of him.

Heading into the top of the seventh, Pablo López was pulled from the game. López had a strong outing as he threw six scoreless innings allowing two hits, one walk and struck out six. Right-handed pitcher Jordan Holloway came in relief for López.

After the sixth inning, both teams pulled their defenses and just had live at-bats for the rest of the practice. Jesús Sánchez lined one up the middle and Eddy Alvarez roped a double down the right field line.

Drew Steckenrider followed Garcia. Miguel Rojas led off with a double to left center against him an advances to third on a wild pitch. He then walked Ryan Lavarnway on four pitches which would put two hypothetical runners at the corners.

Isan Diaz popped out in foul territory for Steckenrider’s first out. Brian Anderson hit a shot that hit the base of the center field wall.

After Steckenrider’s performance, Sterling Sharp came in the game. Sharp got Isan Diaz to roll over and ground out. He walked Chad Wallach and drilled Jon Berti in the elbow. Lewin Diaz ripped what would have been a single through the 3-4 hole to end the day.

More so than in previous sim games, the Marlins Park staff experimented with pumping artificial crowd noise through the public address system. There are a wide variety of different effects that can be customized to the game’s events. Major League Baseball has confirmed that all 30 teams will be using it this season.

Speaking to the media earlier in the day, manager Don Mattingly voiced his support for it, preferring noise over “a totally silent ballpark.”