Pablo Twirls a Gem, Finally Gets Run Support

MIAMI, Fla.—The Marlins finally gave Pablo López sufficient run support in a 6-2 win over the Rockies.

López twirled a gem and picked up just his second win this season by going eight strong and allowing just two runs on five hits, while striking out eight and not allowing a walk.

After a double, a single and a groundout; The Rockies took the lead in the first inning, despite López looking sharp from the jump. Both hits in the inning were on weak contact by the Rockies.

Momentum shifted in the third inning when Corey Dickerson made a tremendous run saving catch reaching behind his head deep in left center. The Marlins offense would come to life in their half of the third, as they scored four runs on five hits. The Marlins loaded the bases with one out on singles by Jon Berti, Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Starling Marte. Berti would score on a sac-fly by Jesús Aguilar to tie the game.

In danger of only coming up with one in a huge spot, Dickerson stepped to the plate trying to follow up the catch. Dickerson has struggled with RISP all season, hitting just .132 with 24 wRC+ coming into the game, but delivered a two-out triple that scored Chisholm Jr. and Marte to give the Marlins a 3-1 lead. Adam Duvall would follow with a single to bring in Dickerson to make it 4-1, his 34th RBI of the season.

“You kinda thought, he makes that kind of catch, he’s gonna get a double or a home run,” said Marlins Manger Don Mattingly about Dickerson building the momentum almost by himself.

“I don’t know,” said Dickerson with a laugh on how he ran that ball down in the gap.

López had retired seven straight following the run in the first until Charlie Blackmon doubled to lead off the fourth, then came around to score after a groundout and a wild pitch. Pablo would once again settle in nicely, retiring 15 of the final 16 batters he faced and picking up five of his eight strikeouts in that span.

López said after the game he felt it was the best outing of the season for him. Mattingly agreed.

“You have to put it right up there,” said Mattingly, “I can’t remember a better one.”

The Marlins would keep their foot on the gas and tack on two more in the seventh inning. Chisholm Jr. and Marte started the inning with back-to-back singles, then Marte stole second base to set the Marlins up second and third with one out. Aguilar would deliver an RBI base hit, his team leading 46th RBI of the season, then Duvall would do the same for his 35th RBI of the year.

It was a great homecoming for the Marlins offense and a lot of their key pieces had big nights. Chisholm Jr., Marte and Aguilar combined for seven hits between them. Aguilar stayed hot with a double and two RBI.

Marte brought his batting average up to .341 and his OPS over 1.000 with a three-hit night, while Chisholm Jr., who found himself in a bit of a slump, got his batting average up to .268 and his OPS up to .804 with two hits on the night.

Mattingly found it impressive for a young guy to be able to still get his hits while he was in a bit of a slump.

“That’s how you put a year together,” said Mattingly, “you don’t feel like you got your swing right but you’re still getting your hits.”

He also said that there may still be better to come for Jazz.

“I still don’t think he’s [fully] tuned in, but he’s getting his hits,” said Mattingly.

Richard Bleier worked a scoreless ninth that the Marlins needed very badly.

Game two of the series is Wednesday at 7:10 PM, the Marlins have yet to announce their starting pitcher.