Miami, Florida – Adam Oller and Connor Norby produced on the mound and at the plate respectively helping the Miami Marlins win 7-2 over the Chicago Cubs. Nearly a week after getting batted around by the Arizona Diamondbacks, the right-handed pitcher tossed five and two-thirds innings holding the Cubs to a run on four hits and striking out six. Norby, meanwhile, made history via a third-inning double setting a new club record in extra-base hits by a Marlin. He went a career-high 3-for-4 including a home run to kick off the series finale.
Connor Norby starts things off with a bang! #MarlinsBeisbol pic.twitter.com/5R7M06QxLm
— Bally Sports Florida: Marlins (@BallyMarlins) August 25, 2024
A day after smashing his first homer as a Marlin, Connor recorded his first career leadoff dinger besting Cubs starting pitcher Javier Assad. He is the fourth Marlin this season that their leadoff home run came off the first pitch and the first since Xavier Edwards on July 28 at Milwaukee, the day he hit for the cycle. Norby also has seven runs in that span tied for the 2nd most in club history with Cameron Maybin who achieved the feat in 2008. Emilio Bonifacio leads with 9 runs in 2009.
5 great innings from Adam Oller?! pic.twitter.com/b4UvBGa0fv
— Fish On First (@FishOnFirst) August 25, 2024
Putting away the brooms
Miami got off to a fast start stroking two solo home runs on their first trip to the plate. Once Norby went yard, Jesus Sanchez also launched his 16th of the season, a 420-foot shot dead center.
The Cubbies responded in the second via an RBI single from former fish Christian Bethancourt. Norby led off the third inning with the two-bagger. The 24-year-old scored on the Sanchez ground out making it 3-1.
Miami blows it open.
Jonah Bride sac fly scoring Norby
Otto Lopez RBI Double
Kyle Stowers RBI double
Derek Hill's RBI single7-1 Marlins. #MarlinsBeisbol pic.twitter.com/lzoroEC9nP
— Gabriel Garcia (@Gabewritesports) August 25, 2024
Furthermore, once in the eighth, the Marlins’ offense exploded for four runs on five hits. The much-needed insurance sealed it thanks in part to contributions from the bullpen. Declan Cronin, Jesus Tinoco, and Calvin Faucher caged the Cubs holding them to a pair of hits and an earned run.
Transactions
Behind the scenes, Miami has been dealing with more injuries making some moves in response. Emmanuel Ramirez was sent down to Triple-A Jacksonville with Jonathan Bermudez getting called up as Dane Myers was transferred to the 60-day injured list opening up a spot on the 40-man roster. Edwards hurt himself during the first inning Friday attempting a slide into second for the stolen base. His MRI came back negative and is listed day-to-day. Vidal Bruján replaced him at shortstop. Over in the bullpen, left-handed pitcher Andrew Nardi was placed on 15-day IL yesterday. In response to this, George Soriano was recalled from Jacksonville.
Impressions
I like Connor Norby. Acquired with outfielder Kyle Stowers in the Trevor Rogers trade, the 24-year-old has shown lots of talent at the top of the order. In the post-game presser, coach Skip Schumaker praised him as a guy playing with a big chip on his shoulder. His attitude towards his transition from a competitor to a franchise in rebuild mode was telling. He even says that it’s all about how you approach things.
Connor talks about his transition from a win now organization to a franchise in rebuild mode. #MarlinsBeisbol pic.twitter.com/BqSPTUiOs5
— Gabriel Garcia (@Gabewritesports) August 25, 2024
Consequently, Norby is seeing what other folks are. Once the pitchers return next year, the Marlins are going to be a fun group to watch. In other words, whether it’s him buying into the message conveyed or smooth talk the guy is ready to contribute. In addition, hats off to Oller on bouncing back. Last week’s start with Arizona was anything but ideal. However, the righty recovered nicely against a good Cubs offense for the win.
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