Luzardo Stymies Padres, Helps Even the Series

SAN DIEGO -- In his four starts since the 30th of July, Jesús Luzardo had posted a 10.59 ERA in 17 innings pitched, allowing a whopping eight home runs during that stretch. On Tuesday night, vintage Luzardo returned to form and gave the Marlins six shutout innings, helping the team snap their three-game losing streak and beat San Diego, 3-0. 

It had been a rough stretch for Miami’s left-hander, as he’d only completed six or more innings once since the All-Star break. While he has flown past his career-high in innings this season, there was no worry that he was experiencing any fatigue during the second half. He proved that in Game Two in San Diego, averaging 97 mph on his fastball and flashing some of his best stuff all season.

"I feel like I got back on track, obviously a frustrating second half so far but good to get my feet back under me, especially against a good team like that," said Luzardo after the game. "My arm felt really good, it was just about getting it in good places and that's something we focused on with Mel (Stottlemyre Jr.) in between starts."

Skip mentioned, "We needed this from him, he needed it as well. Gosh, his fastball was electric tonight with the slider, he didn't walk guys, was on the attack against a good lineup that hits lefties well."

Luzardo's final line: 6 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 7 SO. He threw 88 pitches, 54 of them for strikes.

On the other side was Blake Snell, who is in firm contention for the National League Cy Young award. In his last 16 starts going into Tuesday (91 IP), Snell sported a minuscule 1.29 ERA along with a .165 opponent's batting average. To say he's been dominant would be an understatement.

In the first two innings, he looked every bit that. "Yeah, we were not seeing his curveball. We were swinging at the changeup and his curveball a lot. They just could not pick it up almost like the Wacha changeup last night. We just could not pick it up. Heck, the league can't pick it up," said Skip

Miami was able to get to him in the third, though, as Jorge Soler swatted a long home run to straightaway centerfield. The solo shot traveled 442 feet, his third longest home run of the season. "I was hoping and ready for that fastball (in a full count) against Snell," said Soler through an interpreter.

Miami was able to manufacture a couple more runs in the third thanks to three consecutive singles from Luis Arraez, Josh Bell, and Jake Burger. After a mound visit, Avisaíl García would put the ball in play and groundout to third, which scored another run. Unfortunately, as soon as he reached the bag, Avi pulled up grabbing his left hamstring.

Asked postgame how García was doing, Schumaker said "not great." Avi added "I felt my hamstring pull when I stepped on the bag. I hadn't felt anything yesterday or today."

After missing three months of the season with a back issue, being potentially sidelined for an extended period of time is frustrating for the Marlins outfielder. "I'm feeling mad, frustrated and everything. Being hurt for like three months and now I get this new injury, I feel mad because I've been doing everything right with my exercise. Even in the day off, I went to the gym to do my routine. It's just out of my control."

Seventh, eighth, and ninth

After Luzardo did his part, Skip handed the ball over to his bullpen. Andrew Nardi, Tanner Scott, and David Robertson combined to close the game out with three innings of one-hit ball. Robertson got the save, his fourth as a Marlin in six opportunities.

Miami improved to 65-62 while San Diego dropped to 60-67. Miami remains one game out of the National League's third Wild Card spot as Arizona and Cincinnati both won their respective games on Tuesday. Sandy Alcantara will get the ball on Wednesday afternoon for the rubber match against Seth Lugo and the Padres.

News and notes;

• Andrew Nardi was dominant again on Tuesday, striking out the side in the seventh that consisted of Juan Soto, Manny Machado and Xander Bogaerts.
• If an IL stint is needed for García, Xavier Edwards and Garrett Hampson are potential options to replace him on the active roster.
• Soler is now third in Major League Baseball in OPS against left-handed pitchers.

Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images