Robert Dugger Solid in Miami Marlins Spring Win Over Mets

With 4,629 in attendance at Clover Park, the New York Mets Spring Training home in Port St. Lucie, FL, the Miami Marlins won a 6-1 decision.

Garrett Cooper started the scoring early for the Miami Marlins, with a first inning two-out solo shot to right field, his first of the year. Jeff McNeil took Marlins starter Jordan Yamamoto deep to lead off the bottom of the frame and tie it early. That was the last time the Mets would cross the plate.

But the Marlins were hardly done. Isan Diaz grounded out to open the second, then Harold Ramirez took first on an HBP. Lewis Brinson reached to put two on with a fielders choice. Chad Wallach followed with an RBI-single to score Ramirez, and Magneuris Sierra knocked in Brinson on a force play. Sierra stole second, but was stranded there when Jazz Chisholm struck out on three pitches.

Diaz drew a walk in the fourth, and later scored on another Wallach RBI-single to make it 4-1.

The score held until the top of the ninth inning, when Monte Harrison led off with a walk. Harrison scored on a Jesus Sanchez single one pitch later, paired with a Tim Tebow throwing error. Victor Victor Mesa knocked Sanchez in on an RBI-single of his own to set the final score.

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Yamamoto was pretty good aside from McNeil’s leadoff shot. He didn’t walk anyone in three innings of work, and surrendered three singles. Ryne Stanek and Brandon Kintzler followed with a perfect inning each, and Robert Dugger threw three innings of one-hit ball, walking two and striking one out. Braxton Garrett held the lead in the ninth in a non-save situation, and despite surrendering a double and a pair of walks, kept the Mets off the board.

With Cooper’s shot, Miami’s 14 home runs ranks tied-for-fifth in the majors, and leads the five National League East clubs. Sierra’s stolen base gives Miami 10 for the Spring, which is tied for fourth in the major leagues, behind only the Seattle Mariners, the Baltimore Orioles and the Atlanta Braves.

Next up for the Miami Marlins is two games, actually. Half of the club will host the Orioles at 1:05 PM ET tomorrow at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. The other half will travel to FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches to face the defending American League Champion Houston Astros, at the same time. Neither game will be televised, and the Marlins follow that with an off day on Thursday.