Marlins Report Card: Super-sub Donovan Solano Homers In 5-4 Win

Jun 4, 2014; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Miami Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton (27) is congratulated by second baseman Donovan Solano (17) after he scored a run during the third inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

BOXSCORE

The Miami Marlins rolled out the all right handed hitting lineup to face Tampa Bay Rays lefty David Price.  With the game being played in the Tampa Bay the lineup even included Casey McGehee as the Designated Hitter.  Reed Johnson and Donovan Solano made extremely rare appearances in the starting line up.  Solano, in particular, would make manager Mike Redmond look good by delivering a 3 run home run which provided the eventual winning runs in the 5-4 victory over the Rays.

Let’s get to the Marlins game report card:

Tom Koehler, SP: C

5.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 4 K

Koehler got himself into trouble right away by allowing a lead off walk and then serving up back to back home runs to the next two Rays hitters.  Having allowed 3 runs before getting a single out, the start could have turned into a disaster for Koehler, but to his credit he battled through 5 innings without allowing another run.

Giancarlo Stanton, RF: B

2-for-4, 2 R

Stanton was able to score 2 of the Marlins 5 runs by getting on base twice with a double and a single.  His double in the first inning was followed by a Casey McGehee single which put the Fish up 1-0 early.  His second run scored came on the Solano home run.

Donovan Solano, 2B: A

1-for-4, HR (1), 3 RBI, R

Solano got the rare opportunity to start a game as he got the nod at second base with a left hander going for the Rays.  With the Marlins trailing 3-2 in the third inning and two men on base, Solano drove a hanging slider from Price over the leftfield wall for a 3 run homer.  It was his first of the season.

Bryan Morris, RP: A

2 IP, 2H, 0R, 1K

Morris got into his first game as a Marlin and delivered 2 pivotal scoreless innings after Koehler left the game after just 5 innings.  He would give up a single in each inning, but induced 5 outs on ground balls to escape any potential trouble.

Marlins: B+

After finding themselves trailing by 2 after the first inning, the Fish fought back against former Cy Young award winner Price.  Redmond employed the all right handed lineup including a DH for the first time this season and they delivered the victory.  The Marlins have now won the first 3 games against the struggling Rays and will look for the sweep on Thursday afternoon.