Miguel Rojas Giving Miami Marlins the Edge vs. Nationals

Miguel Rojas missed 15 Miami Marlins games after starting the season seven-for-10 through the first three.

Miami was 2-1 in those games. Upon his return to the lineup, Miguel Rojas didn’t take long to get back into the swing of things. Batting ninth in the order for the Miami Marlins, Rojas turned a 2-0 pitch into a 3-0 Marlins lead in the second inning. Without Rojas in the lineup, Miami turned in a 7-8 record.

In addition to Rojas’ return, a few other items of note happened for the Marlins. Starting catcher Jorge Alfaro, also slowed by the coronavirus, made his first appearance of the season, starting at designated hitter and hitting sixth in the order. He lined a single into left field on the first pitch of his at bat against Nats’ starter Patrick Corbin, coming home on Rojas’ shot.

Jesus Sanchez made his major league debut, but struck out twice in two plate appearances against Corbin. Sanchez, a three-time mid-season minor league all-star, originally came over from the Tampa Bay Rays in the Trevor Richards trade last season. He’s hit 50 homers in five minor league seasons.

Miami Marlins starter Elieser Hernandez had his good stuff, although not his very best stuff. He collected a total of six strikeouts while allowing two runs on a pair of solo homers. Hernandez also walked a batter, and put 63-of-89 offerings over the plate, a 70.8 percent strike-rate.

Stephen Tarpley relieved Hernandez for the sixth inning, striking out Adam Eaton and Juan Soto on five pitches each. He followed that by taking care of Asdrubal Cabrera on four. The Miami Marlins carry a 3-2 lead into the seventh inning.