Miami Marlins Bullpen Implodes In Loss to Chicago Cubs, 9-7

Sep 2, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Carlos Villanueva (33) pitches against the Miami Marlins during the eighth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

With the wind blowing out at Wrigley Field, the Miami Marlins were looking to win four games in a row for the first time this season as they faced off against the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday afternoon.  The Fish had taken the first two games of the series against the Cubs and the last one against the Braves on Sunday.

Brian Flynn was the starting pitcher for the Marlins making his major league debut after being called up this week.  Flynn struggled all day trying to find the strike zone and ended up lasting only four innings.  He gave up 3 earned runs on 6 hits and 3 bases on balls, but was able to escape with a no decision after leaving the game trailing just 3-2.

The Marlins appeared on their way to the victory in the 6^th inning when Adeiny Hechavarria delivered his second Grand Slam home run of the season to give them a 6-3 lead.  The Fish would go on to tack on an additional insurance run in the 7^th as Donovan Solano scored on an error after leading off the inning with a triple.

Unfortunately, the Marlins bullpen had a brutal afternoon and coughed up what seemed like a sure victory combining to allow 6 runs in five innings of work.  A.J. Ramos got the worst of it allowing 3 runs on 0 innings pitched as he failed to record an out while allowing 2 bases on balls and a hit.  Ryan Webb followed Ramos and promptly allowed a go ahead 2 run homer on the first pitch he threw.  The Cubs added an additional run in the 8^th and held on for a 9-7 victory.

Logan Morrison got the Marlins on the board in the 2nd inning with a 2 run home run that sailed on to Waveland Avenue behind the rightfield bleachers.  The home run was just LoMo’s 5^th on the season and first since July 6^th, a span of 45 games.

Webb was credited with the loss and fell to 2-6 while Carlos Villanueva got the win for the Cubs to improve to 4-8 on the season.

Up Next: The Marlins head back to Miami to meet the Washington Nationals on Friday night.  Jose Fernandez (10-6) will take the mound for the Fish and face off against Dan Haren (8-12) for the Nats.