Fish filetted in extras

1,309. That is how many days elapsed between MLB starts made by Sixto Sánchez (or 1,294 if you succumb to pedantic behavior and count his postseason start in Game 3 of the 2020 NLDS). However you have been keeping score, the team Sánchez went up against in that final regular season start, playoff start and on Wednesday night remained a constant: the Atlanta Braves.

Expectations were not particularly high for Sánchez in this challenging matchup. He entered with a 6.14 ERA this season and as many walks as strikeouts. Even with that in mind, his first inning as a starter in a presidential term was deeply uncomfortable to observe.

The sequence of events:

- Ronald Acuña Jr. 4-pitch walk

- Acuña steals second

- Michael Harris II singles, Acuña to third

- Acuña scores on balk by Sánchez

- Austin Riley called out on strikes

- Matt Olson hit by pitch in a 1-2 count

- Marcell Ozuna singles, Harris scores

The aforementioned balk by Sánchez proved another microcosm into what has been a historically terrible start for the Marlins. Noticeably flustered, Sánchez motioned as if he were throwing to second in an attempt to pickoff Acuña. The only problem: Acuña was already on third base.

"The game sped up on him," noted manager Skip Schumaker. "The next few innings, though, I thought he looked his best in the third inning."

And while Sánchez was relatively ineffective—being charged with 3 runs and 5 hits over his 2 ⅔ innings pitched—impressive was the quality of his stuff. Averaging 94.1 mph on his fastball over his first 7 games pitched, Sánchez's four-seamer averaged 96.5 and he eclipsed 97 four times, including twice in that noted third inning.

A minor controversy ensued when a Matt Olson ball hit to right fielder Jesús Sánchez skipped past him to the wall, allowing Olson to reach second and was ruled a double. Olson would eventually come around to score the third and final run tagged to the former Sánchez.

The latter Sánchez redeemed himself with a home run off Reynaldo López in the top of the second that put Miami on the board and snapped a 21-inning scoreless streak dating back to the eighth inning of Sunday's 6-3 win over the Cubs. 

For Atlanta's and López's sake, that would be all the Marlins would write against him, as he continued his early-season dissection of the league, allowing just 3 hits and scattering 2 walks over 7 innings. His 0.72 ERA through 4 starts leads all qualified major league starters. 

The Marlins bullpen in relief of Sánchez did their part, working 5 ⅓ scoreless frames as the Braves took a 3-1 lead into the top of the ninth. Facing Raisel Iglesias—a perfect 7-for-7 in save opportunities to begin 2024—the trio of Luis Arraez, Bryan De La Cruz, and Jazz Chisholm Jr. singled in consecutive order before a rare error at the hands of the 2-time Gold Glove first baseman Olson on a Josh Bell ground ball led to two runs, tying the score at 3-3.

As has been the case more often than not, the Marlins would not wind up on the right side of the scorebook.

Unable to capitalize any further, Schumaker managed to coax another scoreless inning out of Calvin Faucher, still sporting a perfect 0.00 ERA through 5 appearances and 7 ⅔ innings pitched. 

Miami would threaten in the top of the 10th after an Emmanuel Rivera groundout advanced inherited runner Nick Gordon to third. However, newly reinstated Christian Bethancourt—now 0-for-26 to begin his Marlins career—grounded to third baseman Austin Riley, whose accurate throw home nabbed the prospective go-ahead run in Gordon. On the night, Miami went 1-for-13 with runners in scoring position, and their .670 OPS this season in said situations ranks 19th in the majors.

The Marlins would again turn to Tanner Scott in an attempt to thwart defeat at the hands of the Braves. Before thoughts of Miami avoiding a sweep could further crystalize in the minds of fans and viewers alike, Michael Harris II capped off a 3-for-3 day with a single to score Acuña to seal the Atlanta victory.

The Marlins fell to 6-20 on the season. With the loss, Miami ties the 1995 and 1999 clubs for the worst 26-game start in franchise history. 

Looking Ahead

In what will make for a much-needed off day Thursday, the Marlins will travel home as they prepare to begin a four-game series against the Washington Nationals.

Jesús Luzardo (0-2, 6.58 ERA), fresh off his first quality start of the season on 4/20 against the Cubs, will look to continue getting his season on track as he starts Friday's series opener.

First pitch from loanDepot park is slated for 7:10 EST.

Of Note

- With his 10th-inning single, Luis Arraez registered his 24th game since the start of 2023 of at least 3 hits, tied with the Dodgers Freddie Freeman for most in baseball over that stretch.

- The Marlins' minus-47 run differential through 26 games ranks third-worst in the majors. Only the Rockies (-57) and the White Sox (-82) have been outscored more than Miami.

- Manager Skip Schumaker noted that upon his return and as Braxton Garrett works his way back from his own injury, A.J. Puk (shoulder) will revert to pitching out of the bullpen. In 4 starts this season, the left-hander owns a 9.22 ERA.