Javier Sanoja debuts, helps Marlins to bounce-back victory

MIAMI—"Injuries! Get your injuries!"

Following a 16-2 blowout loss to the NL East-leading Philadelphia Phillies on Friday, the Miami Marlins had been broken and battered in a more literal sense as well. Hoping to avoid their 90th loss of the season on Saturday, they announced 11 pregame roster moves, which included placing three more players on the injured list.

Inarguably the most intriguing of those corresponding moves was recalling INF/OF Javier Sanoja from Triple-A. Hitting .291 with 14 stolen bases all while manning both middle infield and center field spots on the diamond for Jacksonville, it took just one pitch for the 5'7", 150-pound prospect to make an impact.

Pinch-hitting for David Hensley and facing Taijuan Walker, the first pitch of Sanoja's big league career would turn into an RBI fielder's choice that plated a pair of Marlins runs.

"It is a moment everyone dreams of," noted Sanoja following Miami's 9-5 victory. "It was quick. I got ready, wanted to be aggressive, and was lucky to get the RBI."

Sanoja became the 68th player to appear for the Marlins in 2024. He's by far the youngest of those 68, having just turned 22 years old earlier this week.

Impressive in the win was Miami's ability to get to Aaron Nola. Out-pitched by Darren McCaughan, no less (4.2 IP, 2 ER), the Fish tagged Nola for five runs in his 4 ⅔ innings of work.

With the loss, the veteran right-hander is now 5-12 with a 3.72 ERA against the Marlins, including an 0-4 skid dating back to 2022. Miami also improved to 5-7 against the Phillies in 2024.

For only the fifth time this season, Miami's offense produced three long balls. Connor Norby (2-for-5, 3 RBI) and Jonah Bride each mashed their sixth home runs of the season, with Norby's being a first-inning, two-run blast off the former All-Star Nola. 

Miami's third and final dinger was Otto Lopez's first since May 13, snapping a stretch of 319 consecutive homerless plate appearances. Lopez would finish the day a triple shy of the cycle.

With Marlins closer Calvin Faucher being among those placed on the IL earlier in the day, Jesús Tinoco finished the contest by tossing a clean ninth inning.

The announced crowd of 23,189—boosted by Nicaraguan heritage-themed festivities—was the largest drawn to loanDepot park since Opening Day.

Looking Ahead

The Marlins and the Phillies will face off for the final time in 2024 when they close out their four-game series on Sunday. Philadelphia will send Seth Johnson (2.70 ERA in his MiLB career) to the mound to make his Major League debut. Scratched from his planned Friday start with migraine-like symptoms, Edward Cabrera has been deemed good to go for Miami it what will be his first outing since August 31.

First pitch from loanDepot park is slated for 1:40 EST.