Miami Marlins Downed Early Against Detroit Tigers, 6-3

Wade LeBlanc took the hill for Miami yesterday afternoon and promptly fell into a 3-0 hole the Marlins offense would not overcome. Opposite of LeBlanc was Rick Porcello, who went 6.0 innings and picked up the win on the day. The Tigers never lost the lead and cruised to a 6-3 victory.

The Tigers did half their damage in the first inning, after an odd, wind-assisted, Miguel Cabrera ground-rule double drove in Torii Hunter from second. An opposite field homer from Jhonny Peralta put the score at 3-0 going into the bottom of the first.

While the top of the second reads as your average 1-2-3 inning, the third out offered one of the more interesting defensive plays of the day. Score it as a 1-3 ground out.

Miguel Cabrera got the job done against his former team.

Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports

The bottom of the second saw the Marlins left side of the infield carry the load offensively. A Placido Polanco double turned into a run after a Rob Brantly ground out and Justin Ruggiano single. Ruggiano scored on an impressively speedy Adeiny Hechavarria triple. The score going into the third was Tigers 3, Marlins 2.

The Tigers added one more run on LeBlanc’s watch, as three singles led to another Miguel Cabrera run in the third. Miami answered back with a Rob Brantly solo shot in the fourth inning, making the score 4-3, Detroit.

Both teams were in their bullpen by the seventh, with Porcello finishing with 3 runs on 4 hits and 3 strikeouts in 6.0 innings. LeBlanc lasted 5.0 innings and allowed 4 runs on 7 hits and 1 walk. He also added 4 strikeouts. Righty Chad Qualls struggled in his outing, being pulled after allowing 2 runs and walking the bases loaded after hitting Ramon Santiago with a wild pitch. The score was pushed to 6-3, Detroit and would stay that way.

A couple highlights for the Fish include Steve Cishek’s 2-strikeout ninth inning, Hech’s triple, and Polanco’s continued poise at the plate getting results. The Marlins face the Nationals Tuesday, with first pitch scheduled for 1:05 PM ET.