Marlins Bullpen Strong, but Folds to Reds 3-2 in 13 Innings

Mar 20, 2013; Jupiter, FL, USA; Miami Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton (27) reacts in the dugout in the fourth inning during a spring training game against the Washington Nationals at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

As usual, the Marlins’ bats had difficulty getting warmed up on Saturday afternoon in Cincinnati. The bullpen, however, was hot until the bottom of the 13th inning, when closer Steve Cishek allowed the Reds to walk off with the win.

The Marlins used seven pitchers in the game, thanks to starter Wade LeBlanc’s quick 4-inning outing. LeBlanc walked 3 and struck out 2, allowing the Reds to score one run in each of the third and fourth innings. Tom Koehler, Mike Dunn, Chad Qualls, AJ Ramos, and Ryan Webb combined for 7 scoreless innings, during which they allowed just 4 hits. The Marlins wouldn’t give up another run until Cishek allowed Shin-Soo Choo to reach base with a leadoff double. Brandon Phillips eventually plated Choo with a sacrifice fly, handing Cishek his second loss of the season. The Reds stranded 17 men on base during the game, including a high-pressure situation when Qualls struck out young catcher Devin Mesoraco with the bases loaded to end the 7th inning.

Offensively, the Marlins had even more trouble with the bats, as they would have loved to even get 17 men on base all game. Marlins hitters had 8 hits and 2 walks, and no batter had more than a single hit except for catcher Miguel Olivo, who was facing the team that cut him toward the end of Spring Training this season. Giancarlo Stanton went 1-for-6 with a strikeout, an infield single and a stolen base. Not only does Stanton still have no home runs or RBI, he has now struck out in 17 of his 42 at bats this season.

Up next: The Marlins will close out their 4-game series with the Reds on Sunday at 1:10 PM. The Reds will visit Miami in May, and the two teams will not see each other again this season after that point.