Marlins overwhelmed by Trevor Bauer, Francisco Lindor in loss to Indians
CLEVELAND (AP) -- Jose Fernandez wasn't happy with the way he pitched against the Cleveland Indians on Saturday night.
In fact, he thought he might've been better off bowling to them instead.
"I was thinking about rolling the ball to the plate and seeing maybe who they were going to hit it to," Fernandez said. "I got hit. I got hit hard."
Fernandez (13-8) allowed six runs and a career-high 12 hits over 5 2/3 innings in the Marlins' 8-3 loss.
Miami, which committed three errors, has lost seven of eight and fell to .500 for the first time since May 1, which has manager Don Mattingly a bit worried.
"I'm not concerned with our guys, I'm concerned with the results," Mattingly said. "We talked about it at the break, we were six games over and we didn't think that was going to do it. .... Obviously we've went the other direction. So we've got to get going again."
Fernandez, who moved to just 3-6 on the road this season, admitted he wasn't at his best, but gave most of the credit to the Indians offense.
"These guys and the Cubs -- I think those are the two toughest lineups that I have faced," Fernandez said. "They came out and they played baseball the right way and they played better than us. They beat me."
Mattingly agreed with his ace.
"They just did a nice job with him," he said. "They kind of jumped him early with the fastball and stayed on him the whole game."
Coming off two straight scoreless starts, Fernandez allowed more runs while facing just two batters in Saturday's start than he had over his previous 14 innings.
Cleveland's recently acquired outfielder Coco Crisp hit a leadoff double to start the game before Jason Kipnis smacked a two-run homer.
An inning later, Cleveland tied the game on back-to-back doubles by Tyler Naquin and Roberto Perez before taking the lead on an RBI single by Carlos Santana in the third.
Five of Cleveland's first nine at-bats resulted in extra-base hits, as Fernandez gave up a career-high six over the first three innings.
After scoring three runs in the first inning off Trevor Bauer, the Marlins were held scoreless on just one hit over the game's final eight innings.
Christian Yelich smacked a two-run double and Cleveland native Derek Dietrich hit a sacrifice fly to give the Marlins a 3-0 lead.
THE DAY AFTER
The Marlins were unhappy with the umpires during Friday's 6-2 loss. Manager Don Mattingly thought Kipnis struck out on a 3-2 pitch in the first inning, but it was ruled he checked his swing and Cleveland scored three runs. First base coach Perry Hill was ejected in the ninth and Mattingly was still upset following the game.
Mattingly took a much calmer approach Saturday.
"I've talked to the league and that's just pretty much where I'd like to leave it," he said. "No reason to keep going. You're mad about it last night. It doesn't help it today. It's time to move forward."
TRAINER'S ROOM
Marlins: OF Marcell Ozuna (sore left wrist) missed his third straight game.
Indians: C Yan Gomes (separated shoulder) was 2 for 3 as the DH for Double-A Akron on Friday.
UP NEXT
Marlins: RHP Tim Koehler will start the series finale Sunday. He allowed five runs and 10 hits, including two home runs, in a loss to the Mets on Aug. 30.
Indians: RHP Danny Salazar, who hasn't won since July 19, will start Sunday.
