Five Lessons Learned in Miami Marlins Loss to Tribe

On Tuesday night, after a day off, the Miami Marlins dropped a 7-4 contest to the Cleveland Indians with 7,247 in Marlins Park.

First, a few Miami Marlins transactions of note.

Lewis Brinson was optioned to the triple-A New Orleans Baby Cakes, and Garrett Cooper filled his spot on the active roster off the injured list. The Cakes also activated Jeff Brigham off the seven-day IL. Josh Roeder was promoted from the advanced-A Jupiter Hammerheads to the double-A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp.

Sandy Alcantara (1-3, 4.86) surrendered six runs, four of them earned over 5 1/3 innings of work. He struck out only one batter, giving up three walks and seven hits, including two long-balls. Alcantara’s GameScore V2.0 was 23, which sets the new Miami Marlins mark for the worst outing of the season.

MIAMI, FL – APRIL 30: Sandy Alcantara #22 of the Miami Marlins throws a pitch during the game against the Cleveland Indians at Marlins Park on April 30, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images) /

Here’s four other things we noticed in the game.

Granderson Nears Mendoza Line

Curtis Granderson went deep for the fourth time this season for the Miami Marlins, a solo bomb in the fourth inning off Indians’ starter Trevor Bauer. He also drew a walk and struck out.

MIAMI, FLORIDA – APRIL 20: Curtis Granderson #21 of the Miami Marlins hits a solo home run in the fifth inning against the Washington Nationals at Marlins Park on April 20, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Granderson has had, shall we say, a slow start. This is his 16th season in the major leagues, and he’s averaged .251 over now 6,999 career at bats. This year, he’s just 15-for-80 after 26 appearances, a .188 average and 32 whiffs in 91 plate appearances. He’s now four for his last eight with two doubles and the homer.

Both Andersons Still Showing Promise

Brian Anderson went one-for-three with a walk and an RBI, boosting his average to .243 after a .273 campaign last season. With hits now in 11 of his last 12 games, Anderson is 20-for-63 since starting the season six-for-42.

MIAMI, FL – APRIL 21: Brian Anderson #15 of the Miami Marlins slides into third base after a passed ball by Kurt Suzuki #28 of the Washington Nationals during the first inning of the game at Marlins Park on April 21, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images) /

Meanwhile, Nick Anderson faced two batters and struck them both out. As of now, he’s whiffed 27 in only 13 innings this season, a K/9 rate of 18.7 while giving up a 2.08 ERA and nine hits. He’s also allowed two walks, but they were both intentional.

Cooper’s Activation

Garrett Cooper returned and went 0-for-1 from the plate, striking out, but did reach base via HBP in the third inning.

MIAMI, FL – APRIL 30: Garrett Cooper #26 of the Miami Marlins reacts after striking out in the second inning against the Cleveland Indians at Marlins Park on April 30, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images) /

In a three-game rehab assignment with the Jupiter Hammerheads after a pitch hit him on the right wrist, Cooper went six-for-nine with two doubles and a solo homer. In his second plate appearance off the injured list, he was hit on the left wrist with a Bauer pitch. Luckily, the X-rays came back negative.

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – APRIL 12: Relief pitcher Nick Wittgren #62 of the Cleveland Indians throws in the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on April 12, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) /

Old Friends

Nick Wittgren, traded from the Miami Marlins to the Indians on February 4th for minor leaguer Jordan Milbrath, made his first appearance against the Marlins. In his inning of work, he walked one, allowed a hit, and struck one batter out, keeping Miami off the board.

Brad Hand spent his first five major league seasons with the Florida/Miami Marlins as a mostly underwhelming starting pitcher. Since then, he’s enjoyed a pair of all star seasons with the San Diego Padres before joining the Indians in the middle of last year.

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