TOR 2, MIA 1; Marlins drop series finale to Blue Jays

MIAMI—The Miami Marlins will not get the sweep against the Toronto Blue Jays as they lose in the series finale 2-1 The Fish had their young arm Sixto Sanchez making his third start in the MLB debut while Blue Jays trotted out veteran left-hander Hyun Jin Ryu who was dominant.

Sánchez had a quick six-pitch inning in the top of the first. He got Cavan Biggio to ground to first. Randal Grichuk popped out to third and former Marlin Jonathan Villar singled to left but was thrown out at second trying to stretch a single into a double.

Ryu also had a successful first inning. He got Marlins leadoff hitter Jon Berti to strikeout looking. Starling Marte flew out to right but did walk Garrett Cooper. Ryu would still get out of the inning as Jesus Aguilar grounded out to third in his first back from his minor back injury.

In the top of the second, Lourdes Gurriel singled up the middle with two out but made a costly base running mistake. A pitch got kicked to the left of Alfaro and Gurriel trying to advance to second but Alfaro recovered quickly and threw out Gurriel retreating back to first.

The Fish got a nice start to the bottom of the second with a Brian Anderson single to right. Corey Dickerson reaches first base on a fielder’s choice but Anderson was safe at second due to Villar throwing error. Lewis Brinson moved both runners into scoring position with a groundout to second. However, the Marlins failed to get on the scoreboard as Jorge Alfaro and Jazz Chisholm both struck out swinging.

In the top of the fourth, Sánchez led off the inning with his first two strikeouts of the game. Villar would record his second hit with another single into left. Teoscar Hernandez would also single into left as Villar advanced to third putting runners at the corners with two down.

Another baserunning mistake costs the Blue Jays again as Villar was picked off at third by Jorge Alfaro while Hernandez was stealing second.

In the top of the fifth, the Blue Jays finally got on the scoreboard. The inning started off with a broken bat single into shallow center by Rowdy Tellez. Gurriel Jr. would then homered to left center giving the Jays a 2-0 lead.

The Marlins also got on the board in the bottom of the fifth. With two down, Jon Berti singled into RF giving the Fish their second hit of the game. Marte would follow that up with single into left putting Berti on second with two outs and Cooper to the plate. Garrett Cooper would deliver as he singled into center scoring Berti from second, making it 2-1 Blue Jays.

The inning would end there as Jesús Aguilar struck out swinging to end the inning.

After a 1-2-3 inning by Sanchez, the Marlins got the inning going with a leadoff double by Brian Anderson but the Fish failed to tie the game.

Corey Dickerson flew out to shallow left, Brinson grounded out with advance Anderson to third but Alfaro struck out swinging for the third time today giving him the hat trick.

Heading into the bottom of the seventh, Ryu was pulled from the game. He had a strong outing against the Marlins as he threw six innings allowing five hits, one run, two walks and eight strikeouts. Ryu was placed by right-handed pitcher A.J. Cole.

The Marlins had another opportunity to at least tie the game but failed to do so. After Chisholm lined out to right, Berti drew a walk and Marte reached first on an infield single to second. With runners on first and second with one, Cooper struck out looking and Aguilar grounded into a fielder’s choice as Marte was out at second.

Heading into the top of the eighth, Sixto Sánchez was pulled from the game. Sánchez continues to pitch well as he pitched seven innings allowing six hits, two runs, no walks and five strikeouts.

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Relief pitcher Brad Boxberger came into the ballgame. Travis Shaw doubled to left against him as a diving Dickerson couldn’t make the play. Santiago Espinal fouled out to first giving Boxberger his first out.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. came in as a pinch hitter and grounded out to second which advanced Shaw to third. Biggio wouldn’t come through for the Jays as he popped out to the shortstop ending the inning.

After one inning of work, Cole was pulled from the game. He allowed one hit, no runs, a walk and a strikeout. Reliever Rafael Dolis came in relief.

Dolis didn’t have the best start to the inning as he plunked Anderson on the first pitch. Dickerson flew out to center and Matt Joyce pinched hit for Brinson but grounded into a 4-6-3 double play.

After pitching in the seventh, Boxberger was pulled from the game. He threw one inning allowing one hit, no runs and no walks. Boxberger was replaced by right-handed pitcher Yimi García who kept the Blue Jays off the scoreboard with a strikeout and two groundouts. Teoscar Hernandez did get on but it was because of a throwing error by Chisholm.

Anthony Bass came in the game in the bottom of the ninth to shut the door. Bass would deliver as he records a 1-2-3 inning giving the Blue Jays the win.

Toronto’s Ryu gets the win as that’s his third win of the season. Sixto gets the loss as that’s his first loss of his MLB career and Anthony Bass records his fourth save of the season.

The Marlins have the day off on Thursday before the head to Tampa Bay for a three-game series against the Rays.

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Marlins vs. Blue Jays box score

Fish Picks Answer Key

1. Blue Jays
2. Under
3. Under
4. No
5. Blue Jays