Marlins 4, Tigers 2. [Boxscore]
Summary: Bullpen solid, Bats languish in loss.
Pitching: Drew Smyly got smacked around for 4 runs (3 earned), on 8 hits (4 singles and 4 doubles) and 2 walks over a 68-pitch, 3.1 inning effort, striking out 1.
He was in more pitch-count jams than I care to count, but a lot of that was due to location and a cutter that was MIA (and MIA-friendly, if you get the pun...). His changeup, which he has been working on, consistently clocked in the upper 70's range, and his fastball topped out at 94. Not a bad effort, just... not on target.
Jose Alvarez took over from Smyly and worked 1.2 innings, striking out 1. He really did a nice job with varying his speeds and locating his pitches.
Nathan worked the 6th and issued a lead-off walk - and the Marlins didn't get any further than that, thanks to Moya (see Defense).
Chamberlain took over in the 7th and gave up a single, which was erased by a really smooth double play by Suarez (see Defense).
Justin Miller did a perfect 8th, striking out 1.
Blaine Hardy gave up a single in the 9th, and then unleashed a pickoff move that was like an unseen rattlesnake striking out of a bush to nab the baserunner. Dang, I don't think I've ever seen any pitcher strike THAT quickly before, it was just a... wow! play.
Offense: The Cats managed 7 hits and 2 walks, stranding 9 on 1-12 hitting with RISP. Here's who did what:
Davis 1-2: Single and SB (4) in the 1st, BB in the 3rd.
Miggy, 0-2: BB in the 5th.
Hunter, 0-3: Reached base on error in the 4th, scored run.
F. Martinez, 1-1: Single in the 8th.
Jackson, 3-3: Triple and run scored in the 2nd; single in the 4th; single in the 6th. (He's been tearing up the field with his bat this spring: .520 BA. He looked balanced and poised today, and he's smacking the ball with authority. The 6 spot suits him perfectly. Remember, he was never really considered a proto-typical lead-off guy, the Cats just didn't have anyone else who could do the job. Now that they do, I think this will be a breakout year for AJ.)
Fields, 1-1: Single in the 8th.
Holaday, 1-2: Sacrifice Fly RBI in the 2nd; RBI infield single in the 4th.
Defense: Suarez really wants a spot on the roster, apparently: in the 1st inning, with a runner on 3B and the infield in, when the ball was hit him to him, he threw the runner out at home instead of throwing to first. Smart move there, something I wouldn't expect a rookie to do.
In the 7th inning, he made a smooth-as-silk 6-3 DP (Suarez-Lennerton) worthy of Ozzie Smith or Jose Iglesias.
The veteran-like poise and smarts he displayed speak well of his chances to make the Bigs at some point in the near future. His bat isn't quite there yet, but that should improve as he muscles up a bit more. If Iglesias doesn't make the Opening Day roster because of his splints, I think Suarez would take his place.
Moya, 6th inning: Kid's got a cannon for an arm - he was playing RF for this game, and when he caught a flyball, he fired to Miggy, doubling the runner off first. Not bad. Pity he's not going north with the team, he's a few years out yet, but he has a nice strong arm. I'm sure his bat will catch up with that ability in time.
Next game: Friday, March 14, Nationals @ Tigers, 1:05 Eastern. SP: Porcello.
- Detroit Radio: WXYT 1270.