Jacob Turner Leads Miami Marlins To Win Over Detroit Tigers, 4-2

Mar 3, 2014; Jupiter, FL, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Jacob Turner (33) throws against the Houston Astros at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Jacob Turner came into today’s start needing a good performance to get himself on track to be a force in the rotation for the Marlins this season.  He had compiled a poor 6.23 ERA so far in his two previous outings and may have been experiencing flashbacks to last year’s spring training performance.  Turner imploded during spring training in 2013 and ended up starting the season in AAA New Orleans instead of in the Marlins rotation.

Facing a tough Detroit Tigers line up, Turner was able to deliver 4 strong innings and allowed just 1 earned run on 4 hits.  He gave up just one walk and hit a batter, but did not record a strikeout.  The Marlins were able muster 4 runs off of Tigers starter Drew Smyly to take a 4-2 victory.  Turner lowered his ERA to 4.32 and picked up the victory.

After Turner was done, top prospect Andrew Heaney came in to deliver 3 outstanding innings in relief.  The lefty did not give up a run and allowed just 1 hit and 1 base on balls.  Heaney is almost certainly headed back to the minors this season, but has impressed so far this spring with a 2.35 ERA in 3 outings.

On offense, Jake Marisnick continued his hot start going 2-for-5 with a 2 RBI double, a run scored and a stolen base on the day.  Marisnick is now hitting .333 while his main competition for the centerfield job, Marcell Ozuna, is at .179 after going 1-for-4 today.  Garrett Jones was in the lineup against the Tigers’ lefty starter and delivered with a bloop jam shot double to plate the Marlins first run of the day.  Jones is hitting just .143 so far and today’s hit was his first against a lefty in 10 at bats.

The Marlins improved their record to 9-4 with the win, which currently places them atop the Grapefruit League standings tied with the Tampa Bay Rays.  The Fish will look to continue their winning ways in a rare spring night game against the New York Mets in Jupiter on Friday.