Bounces don't go Marlins' way in season-opening sweep against Braves
MIAMI -- Pitching and fielding win ballgames. Until they don't.
The Miami Marlins learned that the hard way in a 2-0 loss to the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday night at Marlins Park.
Nothing seems to be bouncing Miami's way at the plate to open the 2015 season -- one filled with legitimate postseason expectations following this winter's upgrades. The Marlins have yet to lead through three games against an opponent in rebuilding mode.
But why have the bats cooled off in such dramatic fashion?
Miami scored three times in three games and produced just two extra base hits -- one from pitcher Henderson Alvarez and another from pinch-hitter Donovan Solano. The team batting average is .202, which still ranked 13th in the majors by game's end.
During spring training, the offense posted a collective .265 average (19th in baseball) and 122 runs (second-to-last). Still, its final two Grapefruit League games were wins over the St. Louis Cardinals (3-2) and Washington Nationals (8-0). In two exhibitions with the minor-league affiliates, the Marlins tallied nine and eight runs, respectively.
"You go through spells like that," manager Mike Redmond said. "We came out of spring training I thought swinging the bat really well. For whatever reason we cooled off here. I'll give the Braves credit the way they pitched. They pitched really well in this series and shut us down. That's what teams have to do against our lineup: make pitches, and they were able to do that."
Despite the lack of runs, Miami has had chances. On three occasions with the bases loaded, the bats have nothing to show for it. With runners in scoring position, hitters are 3 for 12. Eighteen men have been left on base.
Miami has also fallen victim to bad luck. For example, with two outs and Dee Gordon at second in the third inning, Christian Yelich knocked a sharp comebacker. It hit off the mound rather than going into center field. Gordon had to stay at third to put runners at the corners for Giancarlo Stanton, who walked. Righy Shelby Miller would retire Michael Morse on a fielder's choice.
"That's kind of what I was talking about," said Yelich, who went 1 for 4 on Wednesday. "We score a run right there, he knocks it down with his foot. Hold it to an infield single and he's able to get out of it. It hasn't been bouncing our way, but we're going to be alright."
If there are a couple of silver linings to take away from the final game of the series, they would be righty Tom Koehler's strong start and the outfield defense.
Koehler's lone miscue was a two-seam fastball that A.J. Pierzynski blasted for the decisive two-run homer in the seventh inning. Stanton made an impressive diving catch in right-center to prevent a run in the fourth, getting up to throw out the runner thinking the ball would drop. Yelich notched his first assist when Alberto Callaspo tried to stretch a single into a double in the fifth. Marcell Ozuna caught a sinking liner in the ninth.
"Big defensive play (by Stanton) to get us fired up, and we're just not able to get that big hit right now," Redmond said. "We've had several opportunities, but it'll come. I'm sure they're a little bit frustrated -- well I know they're frustrated. We'll be fine. Stick to our approach and come out. I can't wait for Friday to see how these guys respond."
The Marlins recorded their first series sweep defeat to open a season since 2013 when the ballclub lost 100 games. In 2015, this isn't exactly the start it had in mind.
"You don't want to judge your season on three games," Koehler said. "We've got a long way to go. Obviously not the start we would've hoped for, but luckily we play 162."
Added Yelich: "Offensively, I think we did things better tonight. We had good at-bats, hit some balls hard. A few of them were just right at guys. That's baseball. We kind of hit a little bit of a rough skid right out of the gate. I thought we had good at-bats tonight though. Sometimes the balls didn't fall. A couple of those drop in or miss guys you never know what can happen. We'll be alright. It's only one series. I know everybody keeps saying it's a long year, but it's exactly what it is. We just have to trust the process and keep battling."
You can follow Christina De Nicola on Twitter @CDeNicola13 or email her at cdenicola13@gmail.com.
