Yelich comes back to haunt Marlins, Miami drops to 5-16

It has happened time and time again. A player who faces his former team comes back to haunt them. That is exactly what happened with the Miami Marlins and former outfielder Christian Yelich.

The now Milwaukee Brewer slugged a two-run homer to give Milwaukee the lead in the fourth inning. After that moment the Miami Marlins never stood a chance. The Brewers did not give up the lead and Milwaukee defeated Miami by a score of 4-2. The Marlins are now 5-16 on the season after being swept in a four game series by Milwaukee.

A Bright Beginning

Surprisingly, Miami grabbed the lead in the top of the first inning. Justin Bour smacked a double to right field which brought home J.T. Realmuto. Realmuto is is currently slashing .417/.500/.667 this season after three games. These numbers are unsustainable, but they are a breath of fresh air for a Marlins offense that has been stagnant. Bour reached base three times, with two hits and one base on balls.

Caleb Smith started the game for the Miami Marlins. Smith lasted six innings, giving up two hits, two runs and striking out 10 in the contest. The previously mentioned two-run blast by Yelich was Smith’s only blemish on the day. Other than the mistake in the fourth inning, Smith was impressive during the loss.

A Shot in the Dark

There was a chance for Miami to pull ahead or at least tie the game in the sixth inning. Realmuto and Starlin Castro both singled, then Bour reached base on a walk. At that moment in time everything changed. Milwaukee went to the bullpen and brought in Jeremy Jeffress. Jeffress preceded to strike out Brian Anderson, induce a pop out in foul territory from J.B. Shuck and finally strike out Lewis Brinson. The Marlins failed to score in a bases loaded situation with nobody out. This failure pretty much sums up the Marlins season so far.

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Nick Wittgren relieved Smith in the seventh inning. One run scored during the seventh in unearned fashion. Eric Thames came in as a pinch hitter for Brewers catcher Jacob Nottingham and proceded to reach base on an error. The ball was misplayed by Bour and it allowed Travis Shaw to score for Milwaukee which stretched their lead to two.

In the top of the eighth a familiar series of events occurred. Again Bour drove in Realmuto, this time it was a single off of Josh Hader to cut the lead to 3-2. Unfortunately in the very next at-bat Hader included a fly out from Anderson and Bour must have lost track of the outs in the inning as he was doubled up at first, ending the inning. The Miami Marlins first baseman managed to make errors both in the field and on the base paths. While Bour did drive in both runs for the Marlins, it is unfortunate that two errors in a short period of time potentially cost Miami the game.

In the bottom of the eighth inning Merandy Gonzalez came in to pitch for Miami. Gonzalez immediately walked Lorenzo Cain. Gonzalez would regain his composure and strike out Yelich and Ryan Braun. With two outs in the inning Jesus Aguilar singled to left-center and brought home Cain to make the score 4-2. Gonzalez would get Hernan Perez to fly out to center to end the inning.

Crumblin’ Down

The ninth inning ended relatively unceremoniously. Hader struck out pinch hitter Miguel Rojas on a close call which Rojas did not agree with. Rojas would voice his displeasure before ultimately heading to the dugout. Brinson would strike out for the second time in the game. With two outs in the inning, Cameron Maybin came in as a pinch hitter for Yadiel Rivera. Rivera was 0-3 on the day coming into the ninth. Maybin would fly out to right field to end the game.

After being swept by Milwaukee, the Miami Marlins now head to Los Angeles to face the Dodgers for a three-game set. An even tougher test awaits Miami against the reigning National League Champions and a win may not come before the end of this current road trip.

Next: The "First Inning" of 2018: A Brief Flashback of games 1-18

These are the times that truly try men’s souls. Thanks for sticking with us through thick and thin (mostly thin). Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and keep a tab open here at Marlin Maniac for breaking Marlins news.