Miami Marlins Win Sixth Straight Spring Training Contest

Even though the games don’t actually count, the Miami Marlins have put together a six-game winning streak.

After starting out the spring 4-10, including a five-game losing streak, the Miami Marlins have strung together six consecutive wins. Today’s matchup, against the high-powered Houston Astros, resulted in a 12-6 triumph for the good guys. The hitting was great, defense was error-free, and pitching – well, relief pitching was pretty good.

The Miami Marlins have 10 more days to settle their Opening Day roster, and continue to narrow down which players will give them their best chance at the most wins in 2019. Here’s a few things we noticed in today’s matchup.

Lumber Support

The Miami Marlins hit parade played early and often today against Houston Astros pitching. The Marlins collected a total of 15 hits, including six of the extra-base variety. Miguel Rojas stayed hot, going two-for-four to raise his spring average to a robust .462. Martin Prado seemed to shake off some of the rust, and went two-for-three with a walk to increase his spring OPS from non-existent to .301. Garrett Cooper is hitting .393 after a two-for-four day, and notoriously light-hitting catcher Chad Wallach also collected a pair of hits, including a solo home run in the third inning. Don’t look now, but Wallach is tracking at .250 with an .857 OPS.

Straily’s Struggles

Dan Straily made his fourth start of Spring Training, and has now allowed six home runs in only 11 1/3 innings of work. He’s surrendered nine earned runs for a 7.15 ERA, while striking out 10 and issuing three walks. Through his big-league career, he’s given up 1.44 homers per nine innings, and last season with the Marlins, he tracked nearly the same thing, allowing 1.47 per nine. His current clip of 4.77 per nine innings should be unsustainable, but if not, the Miami Marlins will have several options at the triple-A level.

Relief Pitching Solid

Sergio Romo came in and blew a save, but got the win in the end. He gave up a pair of runs on a Tyler White fifth inning home run. He also walked one and struck out two.

From the sixth through the ninth innings, Miami Marlins pitching surrendered a grand total of one baserunner, on a Riley Ferrell walk. Four pitchers combined to keep the Astros hitless and scoreless until the final out.

Tayron Guerrero, Ferrell, and Tyler Kinley each struck out a pair of baserunners, and Drew Steckenrider worked a perfect seventh.

A Weird Anomaly

Most major league teams continue to utilize the designated hitter through Spring Training. The Miami Marlins started putting their pitchers in the lineup earlier this week to get them a little work in the batters box. Still, we shouldn’t expect too many heroics from the group in 2019.

José Ureña didn’t collect a hit in yesterday’s game, but in two appearances at the plate drew a pair of walks. Strangely, Straily went hitless today in a pair of plate appearances, and like Straily, also drew a pair of walks. That can’t be sustainable, but I’m sure the Miami Marlins will take baserunners wherever they can get them. So, good eye, guys!

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