ANAHEIM, Calif.
The Miami Marlins’ first three-city road trip of the season has come to an end and it ended on a high note after some early concerns.
Overall the Marlins went 5-5 during their 10-game trek that included going 1-2 against the San Francisco Giants, 1-3 against the Colorado Rockies and a three-game sweep of the Los Angeles Angels. They return to Miami with a 28-26 record as they prepare for a nine-game homestand before embarking on another three-city road trip.
“It’s huge,” Marlins manager Skip Schumaker said. “I’ve always said you want to try to get to at least .500 on the road and win at home. It didn’t look great coming into the series after Colorado and San Fran, but credit to the guys.”
Here are 10 thoughts, stats and observations from the Marlins’ road trip.
▪ The offense is getting its hits...: The Marlins recorded 105 hits over the 10-game road trip, including a franchise record six consecutive game with at least 11 hits. Miami now ranks eighth in MLB with a team .258 batting average.
▪ ... But still needs to find ways to consistently score runs: Despite averaging more than 10 hits per game, Miami only scored 45 runs over the 10 games — a 4.5 runs per game average. That’s nearly a run per game improvement over their 3.6 runs per game mark heading into the road trip but it could have been so much more if not for going 24 for 97 with runners in scoring position (.247 average), stranding 82 runners and grounding into 15 double plays.
▪ Jorge Soler is mashing: Soler hit home runs in six of 10 games on this road trip, including a run of five consecutive games that matches the longest streak in MLB this season. Overall, the outfielder/designated hitter
▪ What a start from Jonathan Davis: The Marlins acquired Davis from the Detroit Tigers on Monday in a minor-league deal, added him to the roster on Tuesday and then started him in the outfield each of the next five games. All he did was hit .364 (8 for 22), draw three walks and score six runs. He had back-to-back three-hit games in his first two starts after never having one in any of his previous 171 MLB games over five seasons.
▪ Schumaker needs to find ways keep Yuli Gurriel in the lineup consistently: Gurriel, who has primarily been used off the bench and in spot starts when Garrett Cooper needs a day off, was dominant on the road trip. He safely reached base in all seven games he started and hit .481 (13 for 27) with one double, two triples and four walks (including two intentional walks) while striking out just three times.
▪ Braxton Garrett making presence known: The 25-year-old lefty had two dominant outings on the road trip, tossing 6 1/3 shutout innings against the Giants on May 20 and holding the Rockies to two runs over five innings.
Overall, the Marlins’ starting pitching posted a 4.00 ERA on the road trip (24 earned runs over 54 innings pitched). They went at least five innings in nine of 10 games and had three total quality starts (one apiece from Garrett, Sandy Alcantara and Edward Cabrera).
▪ The bullpen is getting a well deserved day off: Miami managed to make it through the entire 10-day trip without having to make a roster move to alleviate the bullpen, but that doesn’t mean it was easy.
Andrew Nardi pitched in six games, Tanner Scott five (including three consecutive games), Steven Okert five (including two sets of back-to-backs), Dylan Floro four (including three consecutive games), JT Chargois five, Matt Barnes four, Bryan Hoeing four (all on consecutive days) and Huascar Brazoban three. Most of those innings were high-leverage situations as well.
It’s safe to say they are going to enjoy the off day Monday.
“Off days are nice,” Scott said.
▪ Reinforcements could be on their way soon: Outfielder Jesus Sanchez is three games into a rehab assignment with Triple A Jacksonville. Fellow outfielder Avisail Garcia is expected to start one on Monday. Left-handed starting pitcher Trevor Rogers begins a rehab assignment next week with Single A Jupiter. And closer A.J. Puk threw a bullpen on Saturday that went well.
▪ Catchers are starting to hit: Jacob Stallings and Nick Fortes combined to hit 13 for 39 (.333) with two home runs, three doubles, six RBI and five runs scored on the road trip. Offensive production from the catcher spot had been lacking for the Marlins so far this season, so this road trip served as a bright spot in that regard.
▪ Miami is still in a good spot in the standings: The Marlins head to Memorial Day two games above .500 and in second place in the National League East. They have a chance to make more moves at home over the next week and a half when they host the San Diego Padres, Oakland Athletics and Kansas City Royals.
Luzardo gets Soler his dinner
Jesus Luzardo made it known a few starts ago that he owes Jorge Soler dinner.
Why?
Seemingly every time Luzardo is on the mound, Soler hits a home run.
Well, it happened again on Friday, with Soler sending a near middle-middle Reid Detmers changeup a projected 425 feet to straightaway center field in the third inning of the Marlins’ 6-2 win over the Angels.
Overall, Soler has at least one home run in eight of Luzardo’s 11 starts and 10 home runs total.
So... where did Luzardo end up taking Soler?
“We’re going to In-N-Out,” Luzardo said. “He can get as many double-doubles as he wants. He’s getting as much In-N-Out as he can eat.”
The final tally of burgers purchased: 10, one for each home run Soler has hit for Luzardo.
Soler didn’t want anything else?
“Only In-N-Out,” Soler said with a smile. “I’m fine with that.”
Game recaps from the week
▪ Monday — Rockies 5, Marlins 3: Edward Cabrera didn’t make too many mistakes — but the Rockies capitalized on the few he did make.
▪ Tuesday — Rockies 5, Marlins 4: Colorado took advantage against Eury Perez in the fifth inning and never looked back.
▪ Wednesday — Marlins 10, Rockies 2: The offense was dominant and so was Sandy Alcantara as Miami avoids a sweep.
▪ Thursday — Rockies 7, Marlins 6: The Marlins rallied with a pair of two-run home runs in the top of the ninth but got walked off to drop three of four games in Denver.
▪ Friday — Marlins 6, Angels 2: Jesus Luzardo got out of an early jam and had another successful start in Anaheim.
▪ Saturday — Marlins 8, Angels 5 (10 innings): Miami scored four runs in the 10th inning, fueled in large part by two Angels errors, to clinch the series.
▪ Sunday — Marlins 2, Angels 0: Perez threw five shutout innings to set the tone and the bullpen picked up where he left off as the Marlins end the road trip with a sweep.
In case you missed it
▪ How Eury Perez has handled MLB expectations.
▪ Yuli Gurriel has found ways to help Marlins whether he’s playing or not.
▪ The backstory of how Jonathan Davis found out he was traded to the Marlins.
▪ The Marlins’ road trip included a pair of homecoming stops for Garrett Hampson.
▪ The Marlins are playing a lot of close games.
Upcoming Marlins schedule
Monday: OFF
Tuesday: Marlins vs. Padres, 6:40 p.m.
Wednesday: Marlins vs. Padres, 6:40 p.m.
Thursday: Marlins vs Padres, 1:10 p.m.
Friday: Marlins vs. Athletics, 6:40 p.m.
Saturday: Marlins vs. Athletics, 4:10 p.m.
Sunday: Marlins vs. Athletics, 1:40 p.m.
.JPG)