Another Heartbreaker As Miami Marlins Lose To Arizona Diamondbacks, 3-1

Jun. 19, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA: Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez throws in the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

For the third straight day a pitcher’s duel broke out in the desert as the Miami Marlins and Arizona Diamondbacks battled through 7 scoreless innings on Wednesday.  Things would come apart for the Fish in the 8^th inning, though, as old friend Cody Ross would deliver a 3 run pinch hit homer to seal the win for the Dbacks by a 3-1 score.

Jose Fernandez starred on the mound for the Marlins going 7 and 1/3 innings, which was the longest start in his young career.  He would allow just 3 hits and 2 walks while striking out 4 Diamondbacks hitters.  Fernandez had all of his offerings working for most of the day, but was pulled after allowing both of his walks in the eighth inning.  The first of those walks coming on a blown call by the home plate umpire as he missed a pitch that was clearly strike three and instead awarded the hitter a base on balls.

After Fernandez was pulled, Mike Dunn relieved him and immediately gave up the home run to Ross.  The result for Fernandez was an undeserved 2 earned runs and 4^th loss to his record.

The Marlins offense came compliments of a 9^th inning home run by Justin Ruggiano off of the ultra flammable Heath Bell.  Ruggiano started in LF in place of Juan Pierre, who was given a day off.  The Marlins totaled only 5 hits in the game with Ruggiano accounting for 2 of them.  Bell would allow 2 more Marlins batters to reach base before recording 3 straight outs for the save.

The win went to Dbcacks reliever David Hernandez (4-4) and the loss to Jose Fernandez (4-4), who deserved a much better fate on the day.  The Marlins have yet to win a Wednesday game this season as their record fell to 0-11.

Up Next: The Marlins will now travel to AT&T Park to face the San Francisco Giants on Thursday.  Tom Koehler (0-5) tries for his 1^st win for the Marlins, while Chad Gaudin (2-1) will start for the Giants.