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Miami Marlins: Jose Fernandez Dazzles in Return

By Miller Lepree

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40. Final. 5. 82. 4

After 14 brutal months of anticipation, Jose Fernandez wasn’t the only one feeling the butterflies as he walked out to the mound today to face the San Francisco Giants. for the first time in 2015 for the Miami Marlins.

Today was the first #JoseDay since last May, when the star fell victim to a torn UCL, adding to the long list of pitchers to undergo Tommy John surgery. Like his peers who suffered the same injury, Jose went through over a year of rehab, taking all the necessary steps leading up to this day.

Well, this day turned out to be well worth the wait, as Jose dazzled in ways only he knows how. Pitching 6 innings, with 6 strikeouts and 3 earned runs was a solid step towards restoring his former dominance.

The last time Jose had a start with this much hype was on September 11, 2013 against the Braves. During that game Jose hit his infamous first career home run, where he showboated and took a long look at it, which drew the ire of

Chris Johnson

, and his teammates.

Today, during the most highly anticipated start of his young career, Jose hit his second home run, because that’s Jose for you. Smiling the entire way around the bases, Jose helped lift his teammates to a 5-4 victory, completing their first home sweep of the Giants since 1999.

Two of Jose’s three earned runs came in the first inning, which can likely be chalked up to nerves. Kid K struggled with his fastball command throughout the inning, especially against left-handers Gregor Blanco and Joe Panik.

Jose allowed 7 hits in total, 3 of them coming in that first inning. Overall, this start was all that could be expected of Jose in his first big league start in 14 months. His breaking ball was extremely effective, accounting for 5 of his 6 strikeouts.

Here are the individual game grades for the rest of the Marlins’ key performers:

This was a great day for Marlins fans, who have searched anywhere and everywhere for signs of hope after a disaster start to 2015. After the news that Giancarlo Stanton would be making a trip to the Disabled List, there wasn’t much to cheer about for Fish fans.

While 2015 may be a lost cause nevertheless, Jose Fernandez provides a reason to watch this team every fifth day. What he provides on and off the mound for this team is incredible, and he is a joy to watch.

Welcome back, Jose Fernandez! #LetsGoFish

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