Marlins get to lefty pitcher in first win out of All-Star break

[Kevin Barral]

MLB's worst team against left-handed starters during the first half of the season, the Marlins scored five runs off of Sean Manaea in their victory over the Mets.

MIAMI, FL—The Miami Marlins' offensive struggles have been particularly bad against left-handed pitching (.605 OPS). Entering Friday's game, they held a 6-28 record when their opponents started a lefty, but that trend did not carry into their first game coming out of the All-Star break. The Marlins got on track and tacked five runs off of New York Mets starter Sean Manaea en route to a 6-4 win.

Miami's lineup got to Manaea early. In the bottom of the second inning, Otto Lopez smacked a double which was followed by a Jesús Sánchez base hit, marking Sánchez's seventh hit this season against a left-hander. Xavier Edwards drove in Lopez on an RBI single to give Miami a 1-0 lead. Edwards has hits in 12 out of 13 games since being recalled from Triple-A Jacksonville.

Marlins manager Skip Schumaker noted that Sánchez will get an extended look against left-handed pitching in the second half of the season after being platooned for much of the first half.

Jake Burger, who had also slumped against lefties entering Friday's game (.476 OPS vs. LHP), was able to drive in the third Marlins run of the ballgame with a 114.9 mph RBI double. That was his hardest hit of the season. Then in the bottom of the fifth inning, Burger took Manaea deep to AutoNation Alley for his 11th home run. It was also his second home run off of a left-handed pitcher (compared to 11 last season).

"We talked about it a little bit before the break. We felt like his second half was going to be really good," said Schumaker. "Just felt like he was getting closer. It was one of the best BP sessions I've seen him take and that carried over into the game. That doesn't always happen, but it did today. He's worked hard and he wants it, so I'm hoping that he gets a big second half because he deserves it."

In the bottom of the eighth inning, with the Marlins leading 5-4, Nick Fortes drove in Otto Lopez on an RBI single. It marked Fortes' fifth multi-hit game of the season. He continues to perform his best at the plate with two outs and runners in scoring position.

Meanwhile, starting pitcher Edward Cabrera struggled despite the run support that he received. Cabrera walked a season-high five hitters and only struck out one through 4 ⅔ innings of work. The secondary stuff wasn't getting hitters to bite and the fastball was all over the place.

"I think we were fortunate," said Schumaker. "We didn't give up more runs because he has good stuff. That's kind of what happens. Five walks and 27% first-pitch strikes. It's kind of the same story. It's just not ideal. Then he gets some big spots and he can out-stuff them and get out of big jams."

Cabrera actually held the Mets scoreless until the fifth inning when he surrendered a leadoff solo homer to Mets right fielder Jeff McNeil. He later allowed a sac fly to J.D. Martinez, which drove in Francisco Lindor. After issuing his fifth walk of the game, he was taken out.

Cabrera is expected to take the mound next on Wednesday in game two of a three-game set against the Baltimore Orioles.

Out of the bullpen, A.J. Puk extended his scoreless streak to 13 ⅔ innings (12 appearances). In that span, he's only walked three opposing hitters, struck out 20 and surrendered three hits. Puk is a name that will continue to come up in rumors leading up to the trade deadline.

With the win, the Marlins are now 34-63 on the season while the Mets are now 49-47. Saturday's pitching matchup will be Roddery Muñoz for the Marlins and Luis Severino for the Mets. First pitch will be at 4:10 pm.

View full article