Pablo López Nearly Untouchable in Miami Marlins Win

The Miami Marlins came into Saturday’s game against the New York Mets with a rare opportunity.

After defeating the Amazin’s on Friday night by a final score of 8-6, the Miami Marlins entered this afternoon’s contest with a chance for consecutive victories. Pablo López was more than up for the challenge.

in López’ last start, a loss to these same Mets on May 10th, he turned in what was likely his worst-ever major league start. He allowed 10 runs on 10 hits and two walks over three frames for a minus-11 GameScore V2.0. In today’s matchup, he finished with a career-best mark of 83.

"This was a great response, honestly, he just went out and pitched. You find out what a guy’s made of. He took a beating there in New York and nothing went right. – Don Mattingly"

On the first pitch of the game, Jeff McNeil doubled into left field, then López put 60-of-91 pitches over the plate through the rest of the affair, without allowing another hit. He did walk two, while striking out seven and pushing his record to 3-5 for the season. He dropped his ERA to 5.06 with the solid outing. The only thing I can’t get around my head is why Mattingly pulled him for the eighth, but that’s merely academic. López also collected a two-out single in the fourth.

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Tayron Guerrero pitched 1 1/3 innings of hitless relief, striking out two. Adam Conley came on for the final two outs, and got them without incident for his second save of the season.

The Mets got a hit on the first pitch of the day, then never again. Miami’s leadoff batter, Jon Berti, also got a hit in the Marlins first plate appearance of the afternoon. He clubbed it over the right field fence for an early lead, and the only run that López would really need. Berti scored the Marlins other run as well, on a Brian Anderson third inning two-out single.

"Just trying to have good at bats, stick with my approach. I’m not trying to do anything more than I’m capable of. I got a good pitch to hit and I put a good swing on it. – Berti, to Kelly Saco on Fox Sports"

In addition to Berti, Anderson, and López’ hits, Starlin Castro and Jorge Alfaro also got onto the scoresheet for the Fish. Alfaro is now listed as day-to-day with a mild left-calf strain. The Miami Marlins will try for their first sweep since 2017 tomorrow starting at 1:10 EDT in Marlins Park.