The Miami Marlins kicked off their final series of the first half of the 2023 season against the Philadelphia Phillies Friday evening. There has been a lot to be excited for Marlins fans as the team is off to the best start in its 30-year history. Miami is currently second in the NL East division and holding on to the top Wild Card spot.
This series against Philadelphia would be a crucial one as the Marlins have an opportunity to create more separation against a division rival. Miami is coming off a series win over the Cardinals taking three games out of four but were facing a Phillies team that has won 12 straight road games.
Back at loanDepot Park to cover the first 2 games of a 3 game series between the Marlins vs Phillies. Great pitchers duel today with Sandy Alcantara and Zack Wheeler on the mound! Full weekend of Marlins coverage with @Gabewritesports at the series finale 🫡 @LemonCityLive pic.twitter.com/io6Fyb9hpu
— Alex “Milo” Aguirre (@aguirrethecap33) July 7, 2023
Game 1
On Friday, the Phillies won the series opener against the Fish, 4-3. One-run losses always sting but the way the Marlins dropped that game can rattle a ballclub and that feeling can linger on a bit. After a brilliant outing by Sandy Alcantara, A.J. Puk came in the ninth inning to close out the game with a 3-1 lead. The Phillies rallied all the way back against Puk and took the lead from a very unlikely source. Here’s the breakdown of game one.
A High Note for Sandy
The first half of the 2023 season hasn’t been one that Sandy Alcantara would be proud of and would definitely like to forget. After earning the 2022 NL Cy Young Award, Alcantara will finish the first half with a 3-7 record and a 4.72 ERA. Alcantara would show flashes of his 2022 performance but teams are definitely more prepared when going up against the right-hander this year.
Against a loaded Phillies lineup, Alcantara tossed 6 2/3 innings of one-run ball and was in line for the win. He gave up eight hits and lots of hard contact, but was able to strand the majority of those runners on base. Alcantara finished with five strikeouts but what was more impressive is that he did not walk anyone. Knowing Sandy’s competitive nature, he obviously would have liked to complete the seventh inning but this is a solid outing to build off of for the second half. The Marlins are going to need their ace and workhorse in August and September.
Sandy Alcantara was back to his dominant self tonight ♨️
Take a look back at his performance… ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/gx9NGR4Zph
— Bally Sports Florida: Marlins (@BallyMarlins) July 8, 2023
Puk Aint Perfect (And that’s ok)
In game three of the four-game series against the Cardinals, A.J. Puk blew the save opportunity but earned the win after Miami walked off in the bottom of the ninth. Puk has been the de facto closer since the beginning of the season and once again Marlins manager Skip Schumaker called upon the southpaw to close it out against the Phillies.
Miami’s offense did not erupt against Philadelphia as it did against St. Louis. They did put up three runs against a tough righty in Zack Wheeler and with Sandy locked in today, everything was in place for a Marlins win.
The top of the ninth opened with former Marlin, J.T. Realmuto, recording a single. He would move to second on a wild pitch and then Alec Bohmn brought him in with a RBI double. Puk would strike out Josh Harrison for the second out in the inning but up came the unlikely source mentioned earlier.
The nail in Miami’s coffin was hammered in by centerfielder Cristian Pache. Miami was leading 3-2 before Puk hung a slider over the plate and Pache took him deep to straightaway centerfield.
Pinch-hitter Cristian Pache comes through with two outs in the 9th!
(MLB x @CapitalOne) pic.twitter.com/M3E8Cgn5Bz
— MLB (@MLB) July 8, 2023
Veteran closer, Craig Kimbrel, locked down his 14th save of the season and the 408th of his career in the bottom of the ninth. It was not the ideal way the Marlins wanted to start the final series of the first half, but the beauty about sports is that there is always tomorrow.
Game 2
Miami evened up the series Saturday afternoon after winning the second game against Philadelphia 5-3. Philadelphia answered first scoring one run against Miami’s starter, Braxton Garrett, in the top of the first.
The Marlins responded with three runs in the bottom half of the inning. Jorge Soler continues to add to his All-Star season and recorded his 23rd home run to tie the game 1-1. Miami followed up the homer and loaded the bases with two outs. Recent minor league call-up, Dane Myers, once again made an impact as the starting center fielder.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Jonathan Davis are both sidelined with injuries and Myers has definitely been taking advantage of the playing time. Myers plated two runners with a single to right field and gave Miami an early 3-1 lead. The 27-year-old rookie has been one of the biggest surprises this season for Miami and his first week in the big leagues has been nothing short of memorable.
Marlins manager Skip Schumaker talks about AJ Puk’s bounce back performance to get the save and Braxton Garrett’s outing earning the win today @LemonCityLive pic.twitter.com/HIRyUW0nVN
— Alex “Milo” Aguirre (@aguirrethecap33) July 8, 2023
From “Long Man” to Starter
Braxton Garrett started this season as the long man out of the bullpen but with Johnny Cueto and Edward Cabrera on the IL, the young lefty has stepped up in a huge way. Garrett’s outing was off to a shaky start mentioning the first-inning run he surrendered. Philadelphia also tacked on two runs in the second inning to tie the game at 3-3.
Garrett would settle down after that to record three shutout innings. He not only kept Philadelphia off the scoreboard but was also in line for the win. He hasn’t gone deep into games but Garrett has been competing and keeping Miami in every game when he is on the mound. It is not a surprise that Miami is 14-3 on the days he has started.
With a few starters injured, the starting rotation had some doubts but Garrett has answered the call and solidified himself as a mainstay in the rotation. He would leave the game after five solid innings and a 4-3 lead.
Braxton Garrett talks about his five inning performance today and his growth as a starter this season starting the year as the “long man” and now a dependable starter in the rotation @LemonCityLive #Marlins pic.twitter.com/r8Tc5qPkcC
— Alex “Milo” Aguirre (@aguirrethecap33) July 8, 2023
Bullpen Lockdown
There has been a lot to be happy about this season with the Marlins and one of the reasons why they are a top team in the National League is because their bullpen has been able to hold leads in close games. That held true again Saturday afternoon as Skip Schumaker made all the right calls to piece together a win.
Huascar Brazoban was the first arm out of Miami’s pen and he has been electric since being recalled from the minors. Brazoban retired all five hitters he faced in order and passed it over to Steven Okert with two outs in the seventh. Okert came in to face Kyle Schwarber for a lefty vs lefty matchup and Okert got the strikeout.
Huascar Brazoban was sent down to the minors on June 13. Never actually pitched there, but still an interesting turning point to look at.
Since being called up again, 1 ER in 11.2 IP (0.77 ERA)
— Fish On First (@FishOnFirst) July 8, 2023
Tanner Scott was given the eighth and recorded a 1-2-3 inning against the heart of Philadelphia’s lineup. With the Marlins leading 5-3 entering the ninth all eyes were on the bullpen to see if Skip was going to go with another arm instead of Puk after he blew his last two save opportunities.
Think it is worth mentioning how awesome Tanner Scott has been this season. Posting a 2.98 ERA, 2.27 FIP and is posting his highest K/9 of his career at 13.39. Big change for him as well has been cutting down the BB/9 from 6.61 to 3.61.#Marlins pic.twitter.com/rjoUgZBmn4
— Kevin Barral (@kevin_barral) July 8, 2023
Red-Puk Redemption
The lights were flashing and the fans heard Puk’s intro music. Skip elected to go with the southpaw which showed an incredible amount of trust and unity this team has. Puk struck out Realmuto to open the bottom of the ninth and then showed his own toughness the following at-bat.
Bohm lined a base hit to the outfield off the wrist of Puk that was recorded at 101 mph! After the training staff looked him over, Puk stayed in the game. He retired the following two hitters to secure the Marlins’ victory and he got his redemption.
The Marlins have a chance to take the series tomorrow and finish the first half with a win. Jesus Luzardo will be on the mound facing Aaron Nola as many expect another close pitcher’s duel. The first pitch is scheduled for 1:40 p.m.
AJ Puk talks about getting the save today after blowing his last two opportunities and how he has adjusted to his new role as a closer with the Marlins @LemonCityLive pic.twitter.com/Cjn9uC8W45
— Alex “Milo” Aguirre (@aguirrethecap33) July 8, 2023
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