Jazz shines in Miami's win against Baltimore

[Isaac Azout]

Jazz Chisholm Jr. once again demonstrated what he can do on a baseball field in Tuesday night's series-opening win against the first-place Orioles. 

MIAMI—With the MLB trade deadline just a week away, the Miami Marlins and Baltimore Orioles are each expected to be very active, but in entirely different ways. 

The Orioles, now 60-40 after falling to the Marlins in Tuesday's series opener, will be looking to add established Major League talent to their active roster before the July 30 trade deadline. Meanwhile, the 36-65 Marlins will be selling off Major League assets as they pivot their focus toward the future. 

One of those assets, Jazz Chisholm Jr., fully displayed the value he can add to any contending team on Tuesday night. The 26-year-old OF/2B went 2-for-4 with two RBI, two stolen bases and an outfield assist in Miami's 6-3 win against Baltimore. 

"He can take over a game, offensively and defensively," said manager Skip Schumaker postgame. 

In the second inning, Chisholm showed off his speed by turning a routine two-run single into a hustle two-run double. He ran 30 ft/sec from home to second, which is considered elite. 

"When I saw the right fielder, who obviously has a better arm than Cedric [Mullins], run across, I was thinking, 'hey, let's go hard today,'" said Chisholm postgame. 

He followed that with a steal of third base. Later in the sixth, he stole another base, his 21st of the season-- two shy of his career-high. 

In the top of the third, Jazz showed off the outfield arm. With Colton Cowser on first, Ryan Mountcastle flared a single to center and Cowser challenged Miami's center fielder and went for third. Chisholm charged and fired an 85-mph strike to get him out. 

When asked if he was surprised Cowser challenged him, Jazz said, "100%. He shouldn't be running on me."

While he was in center field today, Chisholm has been seeing some time at second base as of late, presumably to broaden his trade market to teams that could also use middle infield help. Before his first game back at second on July 13, Jazz hadn't played the infield since 2022. 

Fish On First asked Chisholm where he prefers to play, infield or outfield. His response: "Definitely infield."

Miami's offense as a whole had a successful night against Orioles starter Albert Suarez, as he allowed six earned runs and eight hits in just two innings pitched. Jesús Sánchez got him in the second for his 12th home run of the season. A 114.7 mph laser to right field. It was the hardest-hit home run of the year for the Marlins.

Suárez was forced to leave the game in the third after getting struck by a line drive off the bat of Otto Lopez.  

For the Marlins, freshly recalled Kyle Tyler had the privilege of facing one of baseball's most potent lineups. All things considered, Tyler held his own on Tuesday as he held Baltimore to three runs, albeit on nine hits, over 4.2 IP. He also struck out five. 

"Tyler gave up nine hits, but they're all singles to a team that really does damage and slugs, so he did a good enough job to keep us in the game," said Schumaker. 

Once Miami handed the game over to the bullpen, the outcome was never in doubt. Andrew Nardi, A.J. Puk, and Tanner Scott combined to pitch the final four innings of the game and keep the Orioles off the board the rest of the way.

"Our bullpen is our bullpen, we've talked about it for a while now. Puk is getting ridiculous now—and so is Tanner—but Puk has been crazy," added Skip. Puk pitched two perfect innings out of the bullpen and struck out three.

Next, Miami will turn to Edward Cabrera on Wednesday night. Cabrera is looking for his second win of the season. 

 

Of note:

- Jake Burger extended his hit streak to eight games.

- Tanner Scott has now recorded 31(!) straight outs without allowing a hit (dating back to June 25).

- In the month of July, AJ Puk has pitched nine innings, allowed one hit and has struck out 15.

- Jesús Sánchez's home run in the second inning was the hardest-hit home run by a Marlin all year. It was also the hardest-hit home run of Sanchy's career. 

- Xavier Edwards extended his on-base streak to 10 games. 

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[THOMAS JOSEPH]

Gritty performance by Tyler, other than the infuriating Cowser "infield hit" to Bell.

Not a fan of Skip's relief choice - why not let Tyler try for his win with two outs in the 5th? Hoeing did the job, which vindicates the decision, but only one out, and another pitcher is burned. The game ended up as another five-pitcher outing. It's more than evaluation versus record, it's bullpen management and the perfect opportunity for a learning experience with reward ramifications for Tyler, not a no-decision. 

Glad to see the Marlins put the ball in play with runners on and no outs for runs - the sacrifice fly and the RBI grounder are good signs of situational hitting.

Lastly, I hope the Mariners are watching. Chisholm will look good in the sea foam green. 

[Slacker Mills]

Noticed the recent quote from Jazz regarding his preference for playing IF. It's where he should be. Jazz at 2B represents the ONE position where the Marlins are better than the rest of the division. Jazz is better than Albies, Stott, McNeil and Garcia.

Why trade him?

[Ely Sussman]

On 7/24/2024 at 10:29 AM, Slacker Mills said:

Noticed the recent quote from Jazz regarding his preference for playing IF.

Why trade him?

If there was a sincere belief in Edwards being a solid defensive shortstop, then the front office would likely see things differently. Realistically, 2B is the best position for both of them and Edwards is the cheaper/younger/more controllable option.