Jesús Luzardo Ks 11 in new career high as Miami Marlins win

Miami, Florida – Jesús Luzardo ended 2021 on a very high note, setting a new career-high on the mound to help the Miami Marlins win 3-1 over the Phillies. The southpaw dominated Philadelphia through five and a third, bullying the heart of the order that included Bryce Harper, Andrew McCutchen, and J.T. Realmuto. Luzardo got help from within the diamond and at the plate with Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s three-run blast in the third being the difference-maker.

After a dominant performance with a career high 11 strikeouts and 0 (!!!) walks, Jesús Luzardo is our WellMax Player of the Game!@Marlins | #JuntosMiami pic.twitter.com/rGn3LddzDN

— Bally Sports Florida & Bally Sports Sun (@BallySportsFL) October 3, 2021

The 24-year-old did not walk a single batter giving up just one run on six hits leaving the game in the sixth to a loud, standing ovation. He finishes the season 6-9 with a 6.61 ERA in 25 games (18 starts). Miami, meanwhile, improved to 66-95 staying ahead of the last-place Washington Nationals.

Quality outing

The lefty cruised along stifling Philly’s hitting with contributions from the defense. At the top of the third, first baseman Lewin Díaz caught Matt Vierling’s liner for the unassisted double play, ending the Phillies’ turn at the dish.

He also got explosive run support that same inning.

Ya boiiiiiii. #JuntosMiami pic.twitter.com/JfgjpRo611

— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) October 2, 2021

Luzardo drew a walk in his first at-bat followed by a base hit from Miguel Rojas to put a runner in scoring position. With two on Chisholm was not fooled by Hans Crouse’s 85 mph changeup, crushing the ball to right field making it 3-0 Fish. It was Jazzy’s 18th homer of the season.

The starter found himself in a pickle during the fifth after the Phillies knocked back-to-back singles. He struck out Andrew Knapp setting his new (but temporary) career-high of nine Ks before getting pinch-hitter Odúbel Herrera to line out to Rojas. Philadelphia did drive in a run via an RBI single from Vierling. Luzardo then fanned Alec Bohm for his 10th strikeout of the evening.

Jesús had tied his former career-high of eight strikeouts on four other occasions this season. Twice with the Oakland Athletics (April 2nd and April 25th) and two times with the Marlins (August 29th and September 9th). The bullpen took over in the sixth giving up a pair of hits the rest of the night. Dylan Floro swooped in to collect his 14th save of the year.

🗣️ 𝙈𝘼𝙍𝙇𝙄𝙉𝙎 𝙒𝙄𝙉

Powered by Jazz Chisholm Jr.'s 3-run HR and behind Jesús Luzardo's career high 11 K, the Marlins win 3-1!@Marlins | #JuntosMiami pic.twitter.com/gFmqNNhI3C

— Bally Sports Florida: Marlins (@BallyMarlins) October 3, 2021

Looking to the future

Well, I am certainly looking forward to Luzardo fine-tuning himself for 2022. Miami’s player development can now get their hands on this youngster during the offseason to vastly improve his stuff. He had a very rough August leading many to think Oakland was right to get rid of him. However, the 24-year-old has shown lots of potential.

Marlins must have saw something in Luzardo that we have not seen thus far. At all. Pretty concerning.

— Craig Mish (@CraigMish) August 19, 2021

I will be certainly keeping an eye on him come spring to see if any progression is made. Who knows, he can end up being our third or fourth slot pitcher to start the campaign. The talent is there. The Marlins end 2021 tomorrow so final thoughts on the season will commence then. Spoiler alert: Yikes.

Game Notes

Jesus Luzardo ends 2021 on a very high note:

5.1 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 11 Ks, 0 BB, 87 pitches 62 of them for strikes.

Heck of an outing by him#JuntosMiami

— Gabriel Garcia (@Gabewritesports) October 3, 2021

Miguel Rojas: 2-for-3, 1 R, 1 BB

Jazz Chisholm Jr.: 1-for-4, 1 R, 3 RBIs, 1 HR

Bryan De La Cruz:1-for-4

Brian Miller: 1-for-3

Philadelphia Phillies scored one run on eight hits committing no errors

Miami Marlins scored three runs on five hits committing one error

Photo | JC Ruiz