Miami can't overcome its rough defense, fall to the Rockies

Following their most exciting win of the 2024 season, the Marlins looked to keep the momentum going at Coors Field on Wednesday night behind Max Meyer. Unfortunately, rough defense behind the young-right-hander contributed to Miami's 85th loss of the season. 

Max Meyer 

Coming off his best start since being recalled by Miami on July 27, the former third overall pick was back on the mound on Wednesday, this time in the league's toughest pitching environment. After a crisp eight-pitch, 1-2-3 bottom of the first inning, Meyer had to labor the rest of the way, throwing 88 pitches through the rest of his 4+ innings pitched. 

"First four innings were really strong. Strike percentage up with a lot of strikes and strikeouts," said manager Skip Schumaker  "But the fifth and sixth innings were, you know, a different story."

Meyer, 25, walked a career-high four batters in Wednesday night's contest. Through the first four frames, Meyer was able to navigate through rough defense and shaky command, limiting the Rockies to two runs through those four innings. "It's not just Max, but we just had too many walks in general, and most of them scored," emphasized Skip.

To lead off the fifth, Aaron Schunk tee'd off for his first big league home run, the 12th long ball allowed by Meyer this season in ten starts. "It was a missed location. I think it was like two balls inside and he's obviously hunting fastball. I tip my cap, but I'm not looking for handouts there, I missed the spot and need to execute that better," added Meyer.

After completing five on 86 pitches, Miami sent him back out to pitch the sixth where he didn't record an out. After he allowed a single and a walk, Skip went to get his pitcher. "The walk to get him out of the game was kind of the last straw, but I think the leadoff walks in general are going to hurt, especially with nobody on base and no outs, they hurt you at this level," added Schumaker postgame.

Meyer's final line: 5+ IP, 5 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 4 BB, 6 SO. 

In a high-altitude environment where breaking balls tend to flatten out, Meyer still generated 10 of his 18 whiffs on his signature slider against the Rockies. His first four strikeouts came on the slider, with the final two coming on his changeup and fastball. Additionally, Meyer was able to keep the ball on the ground as he only surrendered two fly balls - one being the Schunk home run.

Now two years removed Tommy John surgery, Meyer threw a season-high 96 pitches on Wednesday night. "I thought I was able to locate my slider pretty well and was able to throw some really good changeups and fastballs, just have to finish," said Meyer following the game. 

Meyer's ERA on the season is now 5.44 on the season, far from where he wants it. "Hitters get paid, too," said the Minnesota native. "I think I'm better than a lot of them and I know once I get 100% confident and everything is flowing, I feel like I'm going to be very dominant."

Defense

For the first time since September 2, 2021, the Marlins committed four errors in a ballgame. Playing clean, sound baseball is critical in an environment like Coors, where runs will be aplenty. Unfortunately, Miami did everything but that in their 8-2 loss in Colorado. 

The messiness began in the bottom of the third inning. After Drew Romo flared a single to center, Christian Pache overran the baseball, which allowed Romo to reach second base. Error #1.

Before another pitch was thrown, Meyer attempted to pick off Romo at second and instead, threw the ball into the outfield. "I wanted him to get a bigger lead, but yeah, threw it a little bit arm-side and made it a tough catch for him [Norby]. That's on me," said Meyer. Error #2. 

In the bottom of the sixth inning, with the game still within reach, Kent Emanuel came in to mitigate a messy situation left by Meyer. With runners on second and third and one out, Romo grounded a ball to Otto Lopez at short, who threw the ball to the backstop, which allowed both runners to score. That extended Colorado's lead to 8-2. Error #3. 

Finally, in the bottom of the seventh, a harmless two-out, bases-empty ground ball hit to Connor Norby was thrown away, allowing Brenton Doyle to reach safely. Error #4. 

"Really ugly game, defensively," said Schumaker. "When you give away outs at this level, especially in this ballpark, you're going to get hurt, and the Rockies made us pay for it,"

Recent call-ups continue to hit! 

On the bright side, Connor Norby continued his nine-game hit streak to begin his Marlins career, the third longest streak in franchise history (Pierre and Sheffield at 12). He slashed a double off the right field wall in the top of the fifth, his eighth extra-base with Miami. He's now slashing .333/.385/.667 as a Marlin. 

Griffin Conine registered his first big league RBI on Wednesday night, depositing a 109.4 mph single to center that scored Jonah Bride. The 27-year-old is now 3-for-8 to begin his big league career. 

Miami will look to salvage a series split on Thursday afternoon behind Valente Bellozo. He and the fish will take on Bradley Blalock.