HOU 4, MIA 4; Miami Marlins tie for third straight game

Jupiter, Fla.—The Miami Marlins returned to the diamond following an off day and hosted the Houston Astros Wednesday night. They were unable to get the win, settling for their third straight tie as both teams scored four runs apiece. Miami’s 4-1-4 Spring Training record is still good enough for the highest win percentage in the Grapefruit League.

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Left-handed pitching prospect Trevor Rogers got the start for the Marlins. Rogers looked good in the first inning striking out two but really struggled in the second. Astros infielder Yuli Gurriel and Aledmys Díaz both singled to put runners at the corners with no outs.Rogers would strike out the next two batters with just one out away from escaping danger. That would not end up happening as Alex De Goti would double down the left field line scoring Gurriel. Carlos Correa would follow that up with a two-run single up the middle giving the Astros a 3-1 lead.

Rogers would finish the night with 2 ¹⁄₃ innings pitched allowing five hits, three runs, one walk and five strikeouts. Relief pitcher Richard Bleier didn’t have much success either as he threw 1 ²⁄₃ innings allowing four hits and one run.

Right-handed pitching prospect Nick Neidert looked great in his outing against the Astros. Neidert pitched three innings allowing one hit, no runs, one walk and four strikeouts.

Offseason trade acquisition Zach Pop made his debut for the Fish. Pop showcased his power fastball by pumping 94-96 mph in his one inning of work. Pop was able to work around a leadoff walk as he struck out Robel García and got Korey Lee and Jake Meyers to groundout to the left side of the infield.

Submarine right-handed pitcher Adam Cimber was final pitcher the Marlins used in their matchup versus the Astros. Cimber threw a perfect inning as he didn’t allow anybody on base, struck out one and only threw six pitches with five strikes.

As for the offense, the Marlins were first get on the scoreboard thanks to a balk by Houston Astros starting pitcher José Urquidy. Corey Dickerson led off the inning with an infield single against the shift and was later thrown out at second on Jesús Aguilar’s fielder’s choice. With two outs, Garrett Cooper smacked a double to right field putting two runners in scoring position which led to the Urquidy balk that scored Aguilar.

The Marlins were able to get back in the game with a two-run third inning. Miguel Rojas led the inning off with a walk. Starling Marte grounded out to first which let Rojas get to second. Dickerson recorded his second hit of the night with a ground ball through the left side of the infield putting Rojas at third with one out.

Jesús Aguilar would draw a five-pitch walk to load the bases for Cooper. The Marlins right fielder got a RBI groundout to second that allowed Rojas to score and put both runners in scoring position.

Brian Anderson would also cut into the Marlins deficit with a RBI single into left scoring Dickerson from third. The Fish were able to tie the game as Adam Duvall struck out looking to end the third inning.

The Marlins would tie game in the bottom of the seventh by giving themselves up on a steal attempt. Jon Berti came in for Anderson and ripped a doubled down the third base line. After a Lewis Brinson groundout, Jerar Encarnación recorded his first Spring Training hit with an infield single to the shortstop. With runners at the corners and two outs, Encarnación attempted to second and stopped halfway once the catcher threw to second. This gave Berti the opportunity to score before Encarnación could be tagged out.

The Fish had a chance to walk it off in the ninth but failed to do it with the game-winning run 90 feet away. Outfielder Monte Harrison led the inning off with a walk and would later steal second on what looked like a delayed steal. Second baseman Isan Díaz would ground out to second but allowed Monte to advance to third. The Fish had a runner on third with only one out. Catcher Sandy León would ground out to third preventing Monte from scoring. Jon Berti would draw a two-out walk putting Lewis Brinson at the plate.

Brinson was very close to being the hero. However, his line drive stayed in the air for too long and Astros left fielder Ronnie Dawson was able to catch it ending the game in a 4-4 tie.

What’s next?

The Marlins will be back home at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium on Thursday hosting the Washington Nationals at 1:05 p.m. EST. The Marlins are 1-1 against the Nationals this Spring Training. The Fish won the first matchup 8-5 on March 3. The Nats returned the favor in Saturday’s rain-shortened contest.

Right-handed pitcher Sandy Alcantara will get the start for the Miami Marlins. Left-handed pitcher Patrick Corbin will get the start for the Washington Nationals. Alcantara has pitched in two games with a 0.00 ERA, four hits, three walks and six strikeouts in 4 ¹⁄₃ innings pitched. Corbin has started in one game so far this spring. Corbin threw two innings allowing two hits, one run, no walks and three strikeouts.