MIA 3, BAL 0; Rogers Dazzles to Secure Split

In what was the finale of a brief two-game set against the Baltimore Orioles, as well as this five game homestead, the Marlins entered looking to snap a recent two game skid where the team’s adversity was pushed closer to their limits.

In Sunday’s loss to the Giants, center fielder Starling Marte suffered what later revealed to be a non-displaced fracture of his 12th rib, this according to GM Kim Ng. From the point of injury, Marte is set to be re-evaluated in 5-7 days, though the team would soon place him on the 10-day injured list.

Turn the page to Monday and the team would then lose starting catcher Jorge Alfaro, who sustained a left hamstring injury running the bases. He, too, would be placed on the injured list, with that transaction occurring prior to Wednesday’s game.

The Orioles, too, were dealing with a recent injury, as it was announced prior to first pitch that outfielder Anthony Santander would be sidelined 2-4 weeks with an ankle injury he sustained in Tuesday’s game. A Rule 5 selection for Baltimore in December 2016, Santander had a .575 slugging percentage in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, and had already been playing Gold Glove caliber defense in right field, sporting 4 defensive runs saved early on.

Miami would come out of the first Marte-less series an even .500, splitting the two game set against Baltimore with a 3-0 shutout in a brisk 2 hour, 42 minute affair.

Sandy Leon, who the team signed as a means of having organizational depth in the offseason, joined the team today, catching starter Trevor Rogers. Leon would go 2-3 at the plate in his Marlins’ debut, while being the battery to Rogers’ 7 scoreless innings.

“It was easy because I put my fingers down and I knew he was going to execute,” said Leon about Rogers.

Mattingly also spoke glowingly of Leon, referring to him as a “leader” during spring training.

For Rogers—who struck out 8 in his goose-egg effort—now has a 1.64 ERA, having allowed 2 runs or less in each of his first 4 starts. In Wednesday’s outing, Rogers became the first Marlins starter to hurl 7 innings this season, touching 96 with the fastball while showcasing his advanced feel for the changeup.

Jesús Aguilar paced the team offensively, as his two-run double off of Orioles’ rookie Bruce Zimmermann—himself making just his 5th career start—in the 5th inning proved crucial to providing Rogers adequate run support. Aguilar’s 11 RBI are the most for a player without a home run this season.

Zimmermann would be charged with 3 runs in 4 ²⁄₃ innings, striking out 4 while walking 2.

Right fielder Adam Duvall also contributed to what would be a three-run fifth inning, singling in Aguilar for team-leading 14th RBI. Defensively, Duvall also added his third outfield assist of the season, throwing out Austin Hays on what would have been a two out double in the third inning in a player confirmed my replay.

Miami will begin a four game set Thursday night as they head to San Francisco to face a familiar foe in the Giants with first pitch slated for 9:45 Eastern.

Per manager Don Mattingly’s postgame presser, the team will announce an upcoming roster move to fill the 26th spot.

Baseball-Savant

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