LAD 6, MIA 1; Marlins fall in series finale

The Marlins came into Thursday’s midday contest looking to complete a four-game sweep against the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers. A 5-run Dodger fifth inning and a couple of costly Marlin errors helped propel the Dodgers to a 6-1 win at loanDepot Park.

Jazz Chisholm led the game off with a titanic blast (446 feet, 110mph EV) off Julio Urias. Following that, Urias was able to settle down and pitch shutout ball through seven innings for his league-leading 11th win.

Miami had their ace going in this one, and he looked solid through 3. Alcantara first ran into trouble in the top of the 4th, and didn’t receive much help defensively. Matt Beaty, leading off the inning, grounded a ball to Jon Berti who bobbled it, then threw it away. Beaty later scored in the inning. Although it was just one unearned run, the inning proved to be costly causing Alcantara’s pitch count to rise to 86 through just 4. The inning had a lingering effect on Sandy, who then gave up four consecutive singles to start the 5th and was pulled at 98 pitches with the bases loaded.

The Marlins then went to newly acquired David Hess to try and mitigate the situation. Still a 2-1 game at that point, Hess got the first out, then struggled. He allowed a sacrifice fly to Will Smith and a 2-run double to Chris Taylor. Topping off the rough inning, Jazz Chisholm was unable to handle a sharply hit ground ball hit by Zach McKinstry (104mph off the bat), which allowed two runs to score. The error—Jazz’s 13th of the season—made it 6-1 which ended up being the final score.

Alcantara allowed five runs (3 earned) and 7 hits in four-plus innings. His two shortest outings of the season have been against the Dodgers.

The Marlins were able to string two hits together in both the 6th and 8th inning, but couldn’t push another run across.

Nick Neidert, called up pregame to give the Marlins a fresh arm out of the bullpen, provided exactly what the Marlins needed. He saved a pretty taxed bullpen with 4 scoreless innings and scattered just 3 hits.

Fish Stripes original GIF

As the Dodgers leave Miami, the Marlins fall to 38-48, 8.5 games back of the Mets for first place in the NL East. Taking 3 of 4 against the Dodgers was huge for the team, and hopefully gives them some momentum going into their next series against Atlanta. The three-game set is the final series for the team before the All-Star break. Zach Thompson gets the ball tomorrow against Charlie Morton and the Braves.

Don Mattingly to manage in 2022

During the game, Kim Ng announced the Marlins will be exercising manager Don Mattingly’s mutual option for the 2022 season.

“It’s a good feeling to be wanted,” Mattingly said of his option being picked up.

“Donnie was just so positive with them and always selfless I think in his actions, and always wanted to do the right thing with regards to the player as well as the organization,” Ng said.

Baseball Savant

Fish Picks Answer Key

1. Dodgers
2. Over
3. Under
4. No
5. Dodgers