Miami Marlins Tie Nationals: Why Not Let Them Play?

For the first time this spring, the Miami Marlins finished in a tie.

A tie is not something that will ever happen in a regular season game. If this had been during the regular season, extra innings would have been relied on to complete the contest. As it stands, the powers-that-be consider it of far greater importance to not overwork the Miami Marlins and Washington National players in camp just to crown a winner in an unimportant game.

That, of course, was a sarcastic statement. The Marlins still have 55 men in camp, and a little extra baseball would give more of them all-important reps outside of intra-squad scrimmages. For comparison’s sake, the Nationals still have 63 players remaining with their big-league squad.

Marlins 2, Nationals 2

Howie Kendrick opened the scoring against Miami Marlins starter Jose Urena in the bottom of the first inning. He singled home Asdrubal Cabrera with two outs to give the Nationals an early 1-0 lead.

Washington’s lead would last until the top half of the third frame. Jonathan Villar led off with a walk then stole second base. After a Brian Anderson strikeout, Corey Dickerson singled into left field to put runners on the corners for first baseman Jesus Aguilar. Aguilar then promptly doubled both of them home on a fly ball into right field.

The Marlins 2-1 lead would only last for about half of an inning. With Urena still pitching, Eric Thames and Michael A. Taylor opened with back-to-back singles. After getting an out from Cabrera and another from Juan Soto, Kendrick knocked in his second of the game off Urena on a single into center field.

The following six innings would see neither team mount a significant threat. In fact, the Marlins and Nationals combined for only three hits through the final 12 half-innings of this contest.

Urena lasted four innings and didn’t walk anyone, but he also surrendered both Nationals runs on eight hits and only struck out one batter.

Sterling Sharp was the real standout from the Marlins pitching staff in this game. He lasted three innings, striking out five while allowing one hit and one walk. Yimi Garcia and Adam Conley also each tossed a hitless inning.

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Back to my original point though. What would be the negative associated with allowing these super-sized squads to keep on playing until we have a winner? Each team has over 25 pitchers still with the squad, so unless it goes to a 50th inning, it’s unlikely to “exhaust” the entire staff.

But whatever. I’m not part of the “braintrust” running Major League Baseball. I just think it would be a better idea to let them play.

Marlins are up next tomorrow when they “visit” the St. Louis Cardinals at their shared-spring home in Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium.