MIAMI -- Big pitch. Big play. Big hit. Big inning.
Much has been said about the young Miami Marlins exceeding expectations, but all of the above have been missing over the past two weeks.
The club began its recent nine-game trip at .500 and four games out of a National League wild-card spot.
With that added pressure comes heightened stakes, and the Marlins dropped their fourth straight series with a 4-3 loss to the New York Mets Wednesday night at Marlins Park.
"Anytime we lose this time of year -- we know where we're at and we're coming into the game 5.5,6 out and we've got to win ballgames," manager Mike Redmond said. "We all know that. You don't have to remind guys. Guys are battling. Like I said this is a new spot for us playing games with a little bit of pressure, and unfortunately we just didn't play well enough to win."
In four straight series, Miami has dropped the rubber game -- failing to accumulate momentum or gain ground in the postseason chase. Two of those sets came against clubs -- the Colorado Rockies and Mets -- with worse records.
Right-hander Koehler, who set a career high with 10 strikeouts, wasn't pleased with his outing because a two-run homer followed a two-out walk, giving the Mets a 2-1 lead in the fourth inning.
Although he gave the rotation a much-needed solid start with seven innings, Koehler felt he could've done more to help the club earn the victory during this crucial stretch of the season.
It took just two batters for his night to turn sour, to alter the complexion of his outing -- still a quality one by statistics standards.
"Sometimes you've got to be able to win a ballgame 1-0," said Koehler, who walked four and allowed five hits. "That's what you see the really solid starters do. They go out there when a team gives them the lead and shut them down."
Each play holds more meaning than what most of the players on the roster have experienced, including All-Star Giancarlo Stanton, who homered for the third straight game.
Lefty Mike Dunn watched Matt den Dekker execute a perfect bunt to leadoff the eighth. Following a strikeout, Dunn hung a slider that Lucas Duda capitalized on with a single. Righty Bryan Morris, who hadn't pitched since Aug. 23 because of a groin strain, came in and gave up an RBI double to Travis d'Arnaud.
Shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria couldn't put down sacrifice bunt in the ninth with a runner at first. After two straight failed attempts, he grounded into a double play -- the third of the night for the Marlins.
"You can point to a number of things execution-wise that you have to be able to do to win ballgames, especially late in the season whether it's making a big pitch, not walking a guy, getting a bunt down," Redmond said. "Whatever it is those are all things that you've got to be able to do and execute to win ballgames, especially late in the season."
Added Dunn: "Just got to bear down. It's about winning. Ultimately if you win the series you're putting yourself in a good situation. We just got to get back to playing our type of baseball and execute our pitches and get hits when we can."
Miami dropped to four games below .500 for the first time since Aug. 7. The club quickly filed into the clubhouse instead of watching Mets closer Jenrry Mejia celebrate his save on the mound.
With an offday on Thursday, the Marlins can regroup before a weekend series with the Atlanta Braves. Time is running out, but there is still a chance to right the ship.
"It's tough 'cause obviously we know what's in front of us and what needs to be done," Koehler said. "I wouldn't say guys are pressing 'cause we're not doing that. It's just that big pitch, big play, that big hit we're missing. Unfortunately it's the little things inside the game that are coming back to hurt us right now. We've got 24, 25 left. Got to keep doing what we've been doing this whole year, play hard, compete and hopefully things turn around."
You can follow Christina De Nicola on Twitter @CDeNicola13 or email her at cdenicola13@gmail.com.
