Miami Marlins-Colorado Rockies Opening Day Grades

Mar 31, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins right fielder Marcell Ozuna (13) connects for a solo home run third inning in the of an opening day baseball game against the Colorado Rockies at Marlins Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Miami Marlins 10, Colorado Rockies, 1

Recap (link coming soon)| Box Score

Jose Fernandez: A+

6 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 9 SO, 1 HRA

Minus a Carlos Gonzalez home run in the sixth inning, you could not draw up a better first start of the season for Jose Fernandez. He tied a Marlins Opening Day franchise record with 9 strikeouts and walked zero hitters. Fernandez threw 94 pitches, with 73 of those going for strikes.

Giancarlo Stanton: B

 2-for-5, 2B (1), 2 RBI, SO

Quiet game for Stanton, whose only damage was an infield single that put the Marlins ahead 3-0. That was until the eight inning, when lined an opposite field double to drive in Christian Yelich. That gave the Marlins a 8-run cushion.

Marcell Ozuna: A+

3-for-4, 2B (1), HR (1), 3 R, 3 RBI, SO

After a quiet Spring Training where he hit below .200, Ozuna proved manager Mike Redmond and the Marlins front office right. He got the Marlins offense going with a solo home run in the third. Ozuna started the Marlins five-run rally in the fifth with a lead-off double. His perfect night and the quest for the Marlins first cycle was ruined on a strikeout in the seventh inning.

Casey McGehee: A+

2-for-4, 2B (2), 4 RBI, BB, SO

McGehee had a nice reintroduction to American baseball fans, as he lined a bases loaded double down the right field line in the Marlins huge 5th inning, driving in three runs with his double. He collected his second double of the game, driving in Stanton in the eight inning.

Adeiny Hechavarria: A+

3-for-4, 2 R, RBI

Hech made yet another highlight play to aid Jose Fernandez in his strong start. Along with the great defensive play, Hech collected three singles for the Marlins and scored twice. If Hech can do this all season long, he’ll do a good job of solidifying the Marlins faith in him.

Miami Marlins: A+

The Marlins scored 10 runs on 14 hits on Opening Day. The team did something they never did last season, hold a record over .500. The Marlins started 14-41 last season, so reaching .500 was never really in the cards for them. The team also snapped a two-game losing streak on Opening Day. The Marlins went 8-for-14 with runners in scoring position.