Miami Marlins Game Recap: Marlins Fall Late in Series Opener

By Derek Jones |

Last night, Dee Gordon returned to Dodger Stadium for the first time since being traded this offseason to the Miami Marlins. Going into the game, the Dodgers held the best record in the National League West at 20-10 and an even more intimidating home record of 13-2. The Marlins, sitting at 15-17, were trying to get back to .500 on a tough seven game road trip. As a side note, Dan Haren, who came over in the trade with Dee Gordon, will face his former team for the first time tonight.

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Despite a strong start by Marlins pitcher Tom Koehler, the Marlins lost to the Dodgers in walk-off fashion, 5-3. Koehler, at 2-3 with a 5.18 ERA looked to bounce back with a win against a hard-hitting Dodgers lineup who leads the league with 48 homeruns. With the help of some great defense, Koehler was able to only give up one run in six innings of work.

The Marlins struggled to score all game as their main hitters struggled to get going all night. Gordon, Prado, Stanton, and Ozuna combined for an underwhelming 2 for 15. Marcell Ozuna gave the Marlins their only run in the first eight innings with a solo shot against starting pitcher, Zack Greinke.

It was not until the ninth inning that the Marlins would take the lead. Christian Yelich, who previously made a fielding error that led to the Dodgers taking a 2-1 lead, was given the opportunity to redeem himself as he stepped up to the plate with one on and one out. Yelich took full advantage as he swatted a homerun to left center to take the lead 3-2 in the top of the ninth.

Unfortunately, that 3-2 lead didn’t last as Steve Cishek’s struggles continued. After getting the first batter in the bottom of the ninth to line-out, Cishek gave up a walk to Yasmani Grandal followed by an Andre Ethier single. With only two on and one out, Cishek left a pitch up and Scott Van Slyke made him pay with a towering walk-off homerun to straight away center.

Here are some of the biggest takeaways from last night’s game:

Steve Cishek continues to struggle.
Stanton went 0 for 4 with three K’s.
Michael Morse is beginning to heat up with a 3 for 4 night at the plate.
The Marlins defense remains strong with the fewest errors in the MLB at 11.
Koehler looked strong with an accurate fastball and sharp breaking ball.
Dee Gordon went 0 for 4 on the night.
Marlins squandered two bases loaded opportunities.

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