Stat Wrap 7/18: Eleven Innings Later, Marlins Solve Phills

By Sean Millerick |

Jul 17, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; Miami Marlins relief pitcher Kyle Barraclough (46) pitches to a St. Louis Cardinals batter during the sixth inning at Busch Stadium. The Marlins won 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

It might not be a polished, Yogi Berra worthy baseball truism, but generally when one starting pitcher pitches longer and has nine more strikeouts than his counterpart, the first guy had the better game.

On a screwy night in Philadelphia though, the Marlins were in serious danger of wasting a 14 K power show from ace Jose Fernandez, before a two-run 9th inning rally tied the game and set the stage for Martin Prado‘s extra inning heroics. The Marlins took a big series opener from NL East rival Philadelphia, using an 11th inning home run and some more A.J. Ramos magic to lock down a 3-2 victory Monday night at Citizens Bank Park.

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Of course, at this point in the season, all the games are big. Certainly all the games up until the Trade Deadline, for every win between now and then is another clarion call from clubhouse to front office that this team is worth whatever extra spending and prospect dealing is needed to bring in reinforcements for a postseason push.

Offensively, little to highlight as the Fish had just two hits to their name heading into the 9th. Four would follow the rest of the way, with Christian Yelich and Marcell Ozuna making their lone hits count in a game-tying effort. Prado’s game-winning homer was his first hit on the night as well.

On the pitching rubber, 4 2/3 IP of perfect relief backed that Fernandez strikeout fest. Now it’s just a matter of making sure those bullpen arms stay as fresh as they can so that this team can enjoy meaningful baseball for the duration.

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And now we Stat Wrap:

Ichiro Watch: O for 1 in his lone pinch-hit appearance.
Jose Fernandez piled up 14 Ks, matching his career best. Again.
Want to know the third fastest pitcher ever to 500 Ks? He plays for the Fish.
The last time the Marlins were eight over .500? June 3rd…2012.
The team they beat to get there? The very same Philadelphia Phillies.
Ramos posted save No. 30, a feat he didn’t pull off until September last year.
Kyle Barraclough earned the win for the second straight night.
Last time a Marlins reliever won two straight? Renyel Pinto, in April 2009.
The last time the Marlins won the first game of an NL East series? Six series ago, on May 16th. And yes, it was against the Phillies.

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