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Miami Marlins Pitcher Pablo Lopez Earns Victory in Major League Debut

By Kevin Kraczkowski

MIAMI, FL - JUNE 30: Pablo Lopez #49 of the Miami Marlins delivers a pitch in the first inning against the New York Mets at Marlins Park on June 30, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - JUNE 30: Pablo Lopez #49 of the Miami Marlins delivers a pitch in the first inning against the New York Mets at Marlins Park on June 30, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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With 10,523 in attendance at Marlins Park, the Miami Marlins defeated the New York Mets, 5-2.

Miami Marlins
MIAMI, FL – JUNE 30: Pablo Lopez #49 of the Miami Marlins delivers a pitch in the second inning against the New York Mets at Marlins Park on June 30, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Pablo Lopez, a native of Venezuela, made his major league debut on Venezuelan Heritage Night, and turned in a quality start. He earned a 49 GameScore over a six inning appearance, striking out five. He allowed three singles, a double, and two solo home runs, along with one walk. 71-of-97 offerings were over the plate, and of his 12 balls in play, nine of them were groundouts.

Jacob deGrom (5-4, 1.84) started out stronger than did Lopez, shutting the Marlins down through five innings. Miami got to him for three runs in the sixth. deGrom struck out eight and surrendered a walk and six hits for a 55 GameScore.

Game Story

Lopez struck out the first batter of the game, getting Brandon Nimmo to miss on three pitches. Jose Bautista (5) welcomed Lopez to the majors on the next pitch.

https://twitter.com/Mets/status/1013159753818701824

Lopez allowed two baserunners each in the first two innings, but settled down after that. Starlin Castro reached base against deGrom in the second, but was thrown out trying to steal by Mets catcher Devin Mesoraco.

Lewis Brinson hit safely to lead off the third, and Derek Dietrich got on base by getting tagged by a pitch. Neither could cross the plate however. deGrom worked a 12-pitch fifth inning, striking out JT Riddle, Brinson, and Yadiel Rivera in turn.

One out away from turning in a Quality Start, Lopez surrendered his second solo homer, this one to Todd Frazier (9).

Miami Marlins
MIAMI, FL – JUNE 30: Brian Anderson #15 of the Miami Marlins high fives third base coach Fredi Gonzalez #33 of the Miami Marlins after hitting a two-run home run in the sixth inning at Marlins Park on June 30, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Trailing 2-0 entering the bottom of the sixth, JB Shuck struck out to lead off, pinch-hitting for Lopez. At that point, Lopez was in line for the loss. Dietrich followed with a single, then Brian Anderson tied the contest up with his fifth home run of the season off an 87MPH pitch on the inside part of the plate.

J.T. Realmuto grounded out harmlessly, then Justin Bour drew a walk. Castro singled for the second time in the game. With a little nifty footwork, Riddle beat out an infield grounder to score Bour.

Adam Conley got through a clean seventh inning, then the Marlins added some insurance.

After Conley’s 1-2-3 inning, Drew Steckenrider whiffed two in his perfect frame. Kyle Barraclough also got two to miss in a perfect ninth for his eighth save of the season. The two have combined to go 37 2/3 scoreless innings. Neither has allowed anyone to cross the plate since May 22nd.

Miami Marlins
MIAMI, FL – JUNE 30: Kyle Barraclough #46 of the Miami Marlins delivers a pitch in the ninth inning against the New York Mets at Marlins Park on June 30, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Hitting

  • Castro finished the game with three hits, all singles. He raised his average to .282 with the effort. He also ran himself out of the second inning by trying and failing to steal second.
  • Dietrich scored twice and was 1-for-3 in the game.
  • Anderson was 1-for-4 with a pair of RBI and two runs scored.
  • Realmuto was 1-for-4 with two RBI.
  • Bour went 0-for-3 with a walk and a run.
  • Riddle continued his hot streak by going 1-for-4.
  • Rivera was 0-for-3 with a strikeout.
  • Cameron Maybin singled in his pinch-hit appearance in the seventh inning.

Transactions

More from Marlins News

  • To make room for Lopez on the major league roster, the Miami Marlins optioned RHP Ben Meyer back to the New Orleans Baby Cakes.
  • The Miami Marlins also signed 17th round selection Alex Vesia, then assigned him to the GCL Marlins.
  • RHP Travis Neubeck was promoted from the Greensboro Grasshoppers to the Jupiter Hammerheads.
  • RHP Ryan McKay was promoted from the Batavia Muckdogs to the Grasshoppers.
  • RHP C.J. Carter was promoted from GCL to the Muckdogs.
  • The Muckdogs released LHP Doug Domnarski. Miami’s 27th round 2017 selection, Domnarski had struck out 16 in 19 1/3 innings between the Muckdogs and the GCL.

Tomorrow

The Marlins will close up their three-game set against the Mets starting at 1:10PM tomorrow afternoon. Dan Straily (3-3, 4.82) will start opposite Steven Matz (3-5, 3.69).

Next: Sandy Alcantara also won his first major league start

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