MIA 2, BOS 0: Sweeping Up to Boston

Behind scoreless Luzardo outing and more late-inning offense, Marlins now tied for second-best record in NL.

BOSTON—From being without a hit through seven innings to sweeping a three-game series against the Red Sox for the first time in franchise history. What a rollercoaster of emotions. Let's break it down.

Prior to the game, both Garrett Cooper and Yuli Gurriel were scratched from the lineup—Cooper with an undisclosed illness, and Gurriel after taking a ground ball to the face during early work. Skip Schumaker said after the game that Gurriel did not break any bones and should be alright. He is considered day-to-day.

Luis Arraez started the game at first base in their absences.

Both starting pitchers had their good stuff going from the jump, with Jesús Luzardo retiring 17 straight batters after allowing a hit and a walk in the first. He recorded nine strikeouts before allowing two hits in the top of the seventh and handed the ball to certified firefighter Andrew Nardi. Nardi got a strikeout and a lineout to add to his basket of inherited runners stranded.

Luzardo's final line: 6.1 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 9 K, 99/70 P/S.

The Marlins recorded their first hit of the game off Brayan Bello in the eighth inning when Jean Segura—yes, THAT Jean Segura—who was not in the lineup originally, grounded a ball up the middle that the shortstop could not make a play on.

Joey Wendle followed with a single of his own and forced Alex Cora to take Brayan Bello out of the game. Jon Berti drove Jean home with a single up the middle to give the Marlins a 1-0 lead.

Jesus Sanchez singled to load the bases, then Nick Fortes grounded into a 5-2-3 double play. All-Star Luis Arraez was intentionally walked to load the bases again, and Jorge Soler struck out swinging. He looked like he wanted to send his bat to the moon to end the inning.

Tanner Scott worked around a leadoff infield single by Kiké Hernández that was originally ruled an error because it took an insane hop right in front of Jean Segura. He got Connor Wong to pop out on a bunt attempt and struck out the next two batters.

Bryan De La Cruz led off the ninth with a base hit and was replaced by Jonathan Davis at first base. With Jazz at the plate, Davis was caught stealing. Jazz didn't care. He blasted a home run to dead center off Kenley Jansen. The first "good at-bat" Jazz said he had ever had against Jansen. 106.4 MPH, 36° LA, 414 FT, HR in 24/30 Ballparks. 2-0 Marlins. Jazz waved to the crowd as a chorus of boos rained down.

With a two-run lead heading into the bottom of the ninth, Skip called upon his closer, A.J. Puk, to put a bow on the win. Two strikeouts and a flyout later, the ballgame was over, and the Marlins won, 2-0.

"I mean, yeah, I feel like Boston's had a tough time against Miami lately," Luzardo joked after the game referring to the success of South Florida sports teams across other sports.

Noah's Notes and What's Next

• Well, that was fun!
• The Marlins completed their 3rd road sweep and 5th overall this season.
• Jesus Luzardo has pitched 13.1 innings over his last two starts and hasn't allowed a run.
• Jazz Chisholm Jr. has hit a home run in 4 of his last 5 games.
• Joey Wendle recorded 8 hits across the 3-game series.
• Bryan De La Cruz extended his hitting streak to ten games.
• Now it's on to Atlanta to face the big bad Braves. Bryan Hoeing flew to Atlanta ahead of the team so he will be fully rested for the start on Friday.
• That's it from me in Beantown. I'm off to New York to go celebrate my brother's engagement with my family! Thank you for following along on this road trip.
• For one final time here in Boston, MA.
• 'Til Tmrw!