Tom Koehler's versatility proving crucial as Marlins begin climb
MIAMI -- Eight days ago, Miami Marlins right-hander Tom Koehler took on a role he hadn't attempted since 2012 -- all for the betterment of his ballclub.
The Marlins elected to go with righty David Phelps as their fifth starter. Koehler, the third arm in the rotation to start the season, moved to the bullpen in the hopes he could help shore it up.
Much has taken place and changed since Miami opened its 10-game homestand and dropped its first eight games against the Atlanta Braves, Arizona Diamondbacks and Baltimore Orioles.
Koehler went 6 1/3 innings as the Marlins won their second in a row in a 5-2 victory over the Orioles on Sunday afternoon. They captured their first series since May 1-3 against the Philadelphia Phillies.
"It's been an interesting week," Koehler said. "It's been an interesting week for everybody. Hopefully it's one of those things we'll look back at at the end of the year and we'll be able to pinpoint that this was the homestand where we hit rock bottom and we were able to turn around and get something going."
After lefty Brad Hand bailed him out of a bases-loaded and one-out situation in the seventh, Koehler allowed just one run on three hits with three strikeouts and four walks over 106 pitches (66 strikes).
He retired the game's first 13 batters before issuing a one-out walk to Chris Davis in the fifth. Following a single by Everth Cabrera, Koehler induced consecutive flyouts. In the sixth when the first two batters reached base, he limited the damage to a Jimmy Paredes sacrifice fly.
"Jhonny (Solano) just did a great job of mixing pitches and keeping me in the zone," Koehler said. "We attacked zones and tried to force some early contact. I had a good breaking ball early and good fastball command. When those things are working that's good. He just did a great job of calling the game and we stayed with the gameplan we talked about earlier in the day."
Added manager Dan Jennings: "You've got to start off by saying Tommy Koehler. Wow. What a heck of a job setting the tone. I think he retired 13 straight. Just a gutty performance and set the tone. It was good to see."
It couldn't have come at a better time for the Marlins, who used five relievers in Saturday's emotional 1-0 walk-off win in 13 innings. Miami recalled two minor leaguers over the weekend to provide depth.
In his lone relief appearance, Koehler threw three shutout frames against the Braves last Saturday. And then, when righty Jarred Cosart landed on the disabled list with vertigo, Koehler transitioned back into a starting mindset.
Koehler got a no decision on Tuesday against the Diamondbacks, giving up two runs on five hits with three strikeouts and two walks in 6 2/3 innings. He has two straight quality starts after just two through his first seven. Big innings haunted him in both New York (April 19) and Washington (May 6).
"Koehler is such a competitive guy," Jennings said. "He's a battler. You just love watching a guy leaving it out on the mound. He goes and gives you everything he has every time. As I alluded to yesterday, he's such a team guy. That move to the bullpen, he knew it was best for the team and he did it. And now he's back in the rotation and he's leaving it out on the mound. Heck of a job by him."
You can follow Christina De Nicola on Twitter @CDeNicola13 or email her at cdenicola13@gmail.com.
