Jose Fernandez Makes First Start of Spring Training

Feb 18, 2014; Jupiter, FL, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Jose Fernandez (16) in spring training action at Roger Dean Stadium Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports

Jose Fernandez has made his first start of spring training, as the Marlins take on the St. Louis Cardinals. Before Fernandez even took the mound the Marlins gave him a 2-0 lead in the first inning when Garrett Jones went to deep to right field, scoring Giancarlo Stanton and himself. An early lead is certainly something that Fernandez was not used to last year.

Jose breezed through a 1-2-3 inning in the first collecting a strikeout. He ran into a little bit of trouble in the second inning. He got the leadoff batter out, but then gave up a bouncing single into right field to Yadier Molina. That was followed up by a strikeout of Peter Bourjos. Then the excitement started. Shane Robinson hit a bouncer up the middle that Fernandez deflected, the ball then rolling in the direction of right field. Fernandez sprinted after it and tried to back-hand shovel the ball to first base, but instead flipped the ball over the head of Garrett Jones, allowing Molina to advance to third and Robinson move to second base.

Fernandez did not seem shaken by the error, as he came back to get Tony Cruz to pop up to second base to end the inning. Overall it was a solid outing for Fernandez. He had a little bit of trouble locating the breaking ball earlier on, but the hitters certainly looked overmatched for the most part. He escaped healthy (so we believe) and that is really the important part.

What did you think of Fernandez’s first spring start? Let us know in the comments below.