Edward Cabrera exits start early, Tampa Bay rally ensues

St. Petersburg, FL—The Marlins could’ve used a win on Tuesday, literally or metaphorically. More specifically, it was a day where they could’ve used a deep game from one of their starters to avoid taxing a shorthanded bullpen. 

Trading A.J. Puk to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday was merely the first domino to fall. The Marlins furiously swapped more of their relievers for prospects on deadline day—Tanner Scott, JT Chargois, Huascar Brazoban and Bryan Hoeing found new homes, all within three hours of the 6:50 p.m. first pitch at Tropicana Field.

Once the dust settled, their bullpen was comprised of only four major league regulars (Andrew Nardi, Calvin Faucher, Declan Cronin, Anthony Bender) along with a patchwork of lesser-used guys in George Soriano and Emmanuel Ramírez, and Austin Kitchen making his major league debut.

When starting pitcher Edward Cabrera was cruising through the first four innings on Tuesday night, it looked like the Marlins might walk the tightrope and get through this cluster of a day.

Aside from a solo home run allowed to Christopher Morel in the fourth inning, along with a few hard-hit balls in the frame, Cabrera was largely unscathed through five innings.

To make things even better, Emmanuel Rivera and Jake Burger each hit home runs to give the Marlins a 3-1 lead after five innings.

The offense was without Josh Bell, who was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks, and Bryan De La Cruz, who learned he was being traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates as he was shagging fly balls in batting practice about 90 minutes before first pitch.

“We changed (the lineup) quite a bit,” Schumaker said. “The majority of the order was there. Some guys are going to get a lot more playing time than they have during the early part of the year. And it gives opportunity for some of these guys that were maybe coming off the bench or picked up off waivers, or whatever it is. Burger took some good at-bats, (Xavier Edwards) took good at-bats. Nick Fortes has been swinging really well. We just couldn't contain the other side.”

Cabrera had tweaked his left knee in the bottom of the fifth inning, running to receive a toss from Jake Burger at first base. After looking uncomfortable throwing the first two pitches of the sixth inning, he was unable to continue.

Marlins manager Skip Schumaker said more testing will need to be done Wednesday.

“I don't know exactly the level (of pain),” Cabrera said via translator Luis Dorante Jr. “I don't think it's that bad, but hopefully, with God, I'll be on the mound in the next five days.”

Cabrera added, “I felt great today. Felt really good, thank God. All my pitches were incredible. Felt really good…I was very aggressive, I was staying in the zone with everything.”

Declan Cronin, already warming up, was summoned to finish the at-bat against Brandon Lowe with the count already 2-0. Cronin wound up walking him, then proceeded to hit Christopher Morel with a pitch, and allowed an RBI double to Josh Lowe. Cronin loaded the bases twice, both on walks, and allowed two-RBI singles both times. He gave up five runs in the inning, with one of those being credited to Cabrera.

Austin Kitchen, making his major league debut, allowed three runs in two innings.

With the loss, the Marlins have lost their head-to-head season series to the Rays for the sixth straight year. Wednesday afternoon's matinee is their last chance to avoid a Citrus Series sweep.