Tanner Scott chokes as Marcell Ozuna mashes game winning HR

Miami, FL – Despite rallying after being down four runs, Tanner Scott couldn’t finish off Marcell Ozuna as he launched the go-ahead three-run homer. The Miami Marlins scored six unanswered runs including longballs from Bryan De La Cruz and Nick Gordon. Jesus Luzardo was roughed up surrendering five runs on seven hits through five innings of work. Although he received the no decision, his ERA now stands at 7.65 in a woeful start to the season.

Marcell Ozuna – Atlanta Braves (7)
pic.twitter.com/WdjrzMBc4Y

— MLB HR Videos (@MLBHRVideos) April 14, 2024

Scott was one strike away from giving the Marlins their first series win of the season. The closer walked Ronald Acuña Jr. but struck out Ozzie Albies and then retired Austin Riley. Tanner lost his command issuing a four-pitch walk to Matt Olson, giving up the game-winning hit afterward.

Aces low

After a quick first frame, Luzardo labored a bit in the second. The Southpaw gave up back-to-back singles with Olson motoring his way to third. He scored on the sac fly from Adam Duvall. Luzardo regained control retiring the next two hitters, however, his troubles continued in the third. The lefty K’ed the lead-off batter before walking Acuña who moved into scoring position with his seventh steal of the year. Acuña came home on the Albies RBI single. Olson then drove in Albies via a run-inducing base hit.

Skip Schumaker on Jesus Luzardo's start.#MarlinsBeisbol pic.twitter.com/pBA2UES7Um

— Gabriel Garcia (@Gabewritesports) April 14, 2024

The Marlins, meanwhile, weren’t entirely idle at the plate. De La Cruz homered toward AutoNation Alley, his second of the year. Up 3-1 early, Atlanta kept the pressure on Luzardo. Duvall blasted his first dinger of the season dead center followed by an RBI hit from Acuña during the fourth.

False hope

Miami responded with deuces. Josh Bell doubled to left and was driven home by another two-bagger from Jazz Chisholm Jr, Acuña tracked down the sharp liner but couldn’t make the difficult catch. De La Cruz knocked in Jazz making it 5-3. The Fish continued to chip away at Atlanta’s lead. Vidal Bruján doubled to lead off the fifth, however, it appeared he might’ve injured himself while running. Bruján remained in the game scoring on the Luis Arraez 3-6-3 double play.

Tanner Scott going over the Olson and Ozuna at-bat. #MarlinsBeisbol pic.twitter.com/XE1wEgVnQu

— Gabriel Garcia (@Gabewritesports) April 14, 2024

Jesús Sánchez came clutch in the sixth with the game-tying RBI single plating Emmanuel Rivera. Miami wasn’t done yet. Flashing lumber, Gordon lifted one over the right-field fence for the 7-5 lead. The Braves didn’t go quietly. Anthony Bender started the seventh dispatching Acuña and Albies only to give up three consecutive hits including an RBI double from Ozuna bringing Riley across the dish. Fortunately for the Marlins, Bender fanned Duvall. The relief corps managed to protect the lead until the ninth.

Final thoughts

They were so close. One strike away. I always hate losing games like these, especially to the Atlanta Braves. It was a bad start for Luzardo. So far it’s been a bad season. Sitting at 0-2 the left-handed pitcher’s ERA is bloated, needless to say, he is definitely not pitching like the team’s ace.

Luzardo talks about his bad performance so far in the season and potential reasons why.#MarlinsBeisbol pic.twitter.com/EDFnzEr4uV

— Gabriel Garcia (@Gabewritesports) April 14, 2024

The bullpen mostly kept it together until the final at-bat of the contest. Sixto Sanchez recorded his first K in years and Andrew Nardi struck out the side lowering his ERA to 12.27, perhaps he’s turning it around. Tough to find positives in such a painful loss. The Fish will look to recover with the San Francisco Giants coming to town.