Chisholm, De La Cruz, and Rojas help Marlins hammer Phillies

Miami, Florida – Jazz Chisholm Jr, Bryan De La Cruz, and Miguel Rojas unleashed the hit parade on the Phillies crushing the visitors 11-3 on Easter Sunday. The trio played a large part in supporting starting pitcher Elieser Hernandez, ultimately chasing off Zack Wheeler in the fourth. Combined, the 6-7-8 slots went 6-for-12 notching three runs and six RBIs. The team was 6-for-16 with runners in scoring position. They recorded runs in every inning but the first and fifth.

"We went on the attack super early."

Jazz Chisholm Jr. talks about the @Marlins plan at the plate after Sunday's big win over the Phillies. #MakeItMiami pic.twitter.com/CFPGmZEXaI

— Bally Sports Florida: Marlins (@BallyMarlins) April 17, 2022

The Fish found consistent hitting at the plate up and down the lineup rattling off 13 hits Sunday afternoon. Hernandez, meanwhile, put up six innings of one-run ball collecting five strikeouts. His lone blemish was Bryce Harper’s solo shot in the fifth. It’s the first time since 2019 the righty is able to go six deep.

“Everything was working well,” Hernandez said through a translator. “I was mixing all my pitches playing with my strength that’s the most important attack all the hitters.”

Did somebody say triples?

The home team set the tone in the second inning putting up four.

Miami opened up the scoring with Chisholm’s second triple of the year, plating Brian Anderson who led off the inning with a walk. De La Cruz followed up with an RBI single up the middle to drive home Jazzy. Looking to keep right fielder Nick Castellanos busy, Rojas rocketed another RBI triple to the far corner bringing across De La Cruz. The Fish added one more with an RBI base hit from Jesús Sánchez who looks very much in his element.

“I am now very comfortable at centerfield as if I was at rightfield,” Sánchez said in Spanish. He finished the afternoon going 3-for-6 with a run and two RBIs.

Jazz is fast!

Watch ➡️ https://t.co/3EkiEfSeOj#MLB | #MakeItMiami pic.twitter.com/nryRVPkbhS

— Bally Sports Florida: Marlins (@BallyMarlins) April 17, 2022

With those two triples, the Marlins are the first National League team since the 1981 St. Louis Cardinals to record five triples over a five-game span. Miami is also the first team since the 1990 Chicago White Sox to hit five triples in their first four home games of a season.

Run support wasn’t the only thing going for Hernandez. At the top of the third, Joey Wendle made a terrific diving catch near the foul line to throw out Castellanos from across the diamond. The righty did his part fanning both J.T. Realmuto and Rhys Hoskins for a triumphant frame.

Rojas struck again with a clutch RBI hit scoring Andy to make it 5-0. Jesús Aguilar drew the walk in the fourth to load the bases with nobody out, ending Wheeler’s day. Wendle faced Cristopher Sánchez, managing to poke one up the middle for a pair of insurance runs. The barrage continued with two more scores in the sixth including Payton Henry’s first career RBI. The guys never looked back.

MR. ANDERSON!

Watch ➡️ https://t.co/3EkiEfSeOj#MLB | #MakeItMiami pic.twitter.com/TOGLS2L6Mn

— Bally Sports Florida: Marlins (@BallyMarlins) April 17, 2022

Final Thoughts

What a way to end Miami’s first home series of the season. The Marlins were trounced on Saturday but quickly bounced back taking three of four. The offense was consistent, the defense was amazing and Hernandez was great on the mound. A memorable win for a player who spent much of 2020 and 2021 on the injured list. It’s a very encouraging 4-5 start.

Here's @j_chisholm3 postgame. He's one of the big reasons why baseball is so fun and exciting for fans#MakeItMiami pic.twitter.com/d8gN1GXW4r

— Gabriel Garcia (@Gabewritesports) April 17, 2022

Seeing Rojas have a good day at the plate after a pretty slow opening to 2022 was another positive. There’s more, Anderson safely reached base three times in back-to-back games. Momentum has certainly shifted towards the Marlins to the delight of fans and it looks like Sánchez is the answer at centerfield. So now they move forward. Tomorrow is a day off with the St. Louis Cardinals coming to town during the workweek to conclude the seven-game homestand.

On a side note, my first live game of 2022 was on Jackie Robinson Day and I gotta say the new lighting has improved the stadium experience. Together with the acoustics, the ambiance is even better.

Another of the postgame clips, this time with Jesus Sanchez. Asked him for his thoughts on the impact of today's win with so much offense#MakeItMiami pic.twitter.com/rQVIbaa6Lw

— Gabriel Garcia (@Gabewritesports) April 18, 2022

Photo | Miami Marlins