ARI 1, MIA 3; Marlins get first sweep of season

The Miami Marlins have officially secured their first sweep of the season as they defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks 3-1 Thursday night in the series finale. Pablo López was great on the mound and bullpen was able to throw up some goose eggs against Arizona’s lineup. The Marlins offense also homered twice.

The 25-year-old Venezuelan got the start for the Marlins in search for his first win of the season but was unable to get the win. López pitched very well against Arizona’s lineup as he threw five innings allowing three hits, one unearned run, two walks and six strikeouts. He leaned on his cutter more than usual, matching a career high by throwing that pitch 13 times.

López was replaced by fellow right-handed pitcher Anthony Bender. The former indy ball pitcher continues to impress as he recorded a 1-2-3 inning including a strikeout versus Nick Ahmed. In his two innings in the MLB, Bender has three strikeouts with a perfect 0.00 ERA and a 0.50 WHIP.

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Dylan Floro came in for the seventh and also had a 1-2-3 inning but this was had some drama. With two outs, Diamondbacks third baseman Asdrúbal Cabrera crushed a would-be home run to right center but was robbed by Magneuris Sierra who had just replaced Lewis Brinson in center field. Floro got his second win of the season and was relieved by Anthony Bass in the top of the eighth.

Bass quickly recorded the first two outs before getting himself in trouble. Bass walked Carson Kelly and then allowed a single to Josh VanMeter. After a mound visit, Bass was able to get Eduardo Escobar—who was pinch hitting for Ahmed—to fly out to center.

Marlins closer Yimi García handled the bottom of the ninth as able to earn his fifth save of the season. Garcia threw one inning allowing only one base runner on a soft single into left to Pavin Smith, who went 3-for-5 with a RBI for the Diamondbacks.

The Marlins offense didn’t have a great night at the plate as Madison Bumgarner pitched very well. Miguel Rojas did have a nice game at the plate as he went 2-for-4 including a solo home run to left to start off the game. It was the Marlins first leadoff home run since Jazz Chisholm Jr. homered in San Francisco on April 24.

The Marlins offense didn’t wake up until the bottom of the seventh during which they scored two runs that would get them series sweep. Adam Duvall led the inning off with a solo home run to left-center. It was Duvall’s sixth home run of the season as he’s now tied with Jesús Aguilar for most on the club. Duvall also homered last game—he’s starting to heat for the Fish.

Brian Anderson followed up Duvall’s homer with a single into left, his first hit against a breaking ball all season (previously had been 0-for-22 in such situations). Corey Dickerson came in as a pinch hitter and executed a hit-and-run beautifully, advancing Anderson to third. However, Dickerson was thrown out at second after sliding off the bag trying to take an extra base. Catcher Chad Wallach would come through with a sacrifice fly to deep right field for the key insurance run.

The Fish only had five hits in the game, but with their spectacular pitching, that was enough.

What’s next?

The Miami Marlins will stay home for another series versus the Milwaukee Brewers. The Marlins have some experience versus the Brewers as they took two out of three against them at Milwaukee earlier in the season.

Rookie left-handed pitcher Trevor Rogers will be on the mound for the Marlins in the series opener. This will be Rogers’ first start since he was named the National League Rookie of the Month.

Left-handed pitcher Brett Suter will get the start for the Brewers on Friday night. Suter has pitched well this season for Milwaukee. The 31-year old southpaw has posted a 2-1 record with a 2.70 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 15 strikeouts. First pitch is at 7:10pm EST.

Baseball Savant

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1. Diamondbacks
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