Dodgers spoil Ryan Weathers' return from IL, even series versus Marlins

The Miami Marlins could not build off of their offensive explosion on Tuesday night. They lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday night, 8-4, to even the series.

Left-handed pitcher Ryan Weathers made his first start since returning from the 60-day IL due to a left index finger strain. Weathers pitched well early on, retiring 10 of his first 12 batters faced and throwing just as hard as he had been prior to his injury (96.0 mph average velocity on his four-seam fastball).

However, Weathers got hit hard in the top of the fourth inning. Trailing 1-0 entering the inning, he allowed five more to score via a two-run home run by Tommy Edman and a three-run home run by Kiké Hernández.

Overall, Weathers threw 4 ⅓ innings pitched, allowing eight hits, six runs (five earned), no walks and five strikeouts.

Relief pitcher Xzavion Curry came in relief for Weathers and pitched well in his outing. Curry pitched 2 ⅔ innings, allowing no hits, no runs, no walks and three strikeouts. Mike Baumann also threw well, striking out two batters, including Shohei Ohtani in his final at-bat of the game.

The Marlins offense struggled against Dodgers starting pitcher Landon Knack, but the bats started to wake up against their bullpen. Second baseman Otto Lopez went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs.

Leadoff hitter Xavier Edwards continues to produce at the top of Miami’s lineup. Edwards went 1-for-5 with a single through the right side and two stolen bases, his 29th and 30th steals of the season.

Nick Fortes was one of Miami’s best run-producers in the loss. Fortes went 1-for-2 with a single and two RBIs on sacrifice flies.

What’s next?

The Marlins will take on the Dodgers in a rubber match to decide the series on Thursday afternoon. Ohtani enters the game with 48 home runs and 49 stolen bases.

Right-handed pitcher Edward Cabrera will be on the mound for the Marlins. He has a 3.56 ERA at loanDepot park this season (compared to a 5.71 ERA on the road).

Veteran right-hander Jack Flaherty gets the start for the Dodgers. Flaherty has pitched well all season long, especially since being dealt by the Detroit Tigers to the Dodgers at the MLB trade deadline. He has posted a 12-7 record with a 3.04 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and 184 strikeouts in 151 innings pitched.

The first pitch of the Dodgers-Marlins series finale is at 4:40 pm EST.