The Miami Marlins were unable to come all the way back on Wednesday, and lost to the Colorado Rockies by a final score of 6-5.
Henderson Alvarez was starting at Marlins Park for the first time since ending the 2013 season with a no-hitter. It was a rough outing for Alvarez who only lasted three innings, and allowed six runs on seven hits. Only three of the runs were earned as the defense for Miami was sloppy in this one committing three errors. Alvarez’s short effort meant that the bullpen would have a long day ahead of it after a quiet first two games. Kevin Slowey stepped in and gave Miami exactly what it needed with four shutout innings. That effort not only kept the Marlins in the game but preserved the pen for Thursday’s series finale.
Giancarlo Stanton hit his first home run of the season and it left in a hurry. The line drive blast hit the wall of the Marlins’ bullpen in right field, and narrowed the deficit at the time from five to three. Casey McGehee kept his bat hot with his third double of the young season while Derek Dietrich also doubled in his first action of 2014. Dietrich also scored twice and should see regular action against right-handed starters until Rafael Furcal returns from the disabled list. Garrett Jones also had a big day, his best as a Marlin thus far picking up two hits to go along with a run batted in and a run scored.
In the ninth, Stanton hit a long drive foul before bringing home a run with a hit to left field. The Rockies' lead was cut to one, but they held on to the win by retiring Jones who came up next. Miami had runners on first and second when the game ended on the pop out by the Miami first baseman.
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The Marlins challenged a close play at second base in the fourth inning that was upheld after a review. It was the first time that Miami took advantage of the new expanded replay system in Major League baseball. Manager Mike Redmond argued that Adeiny Hechavarria touched second base while holding onto the ball for a force out but the umpires disagreed. The initial call was safe and after a review by MLB in New York City, it was determined that the call should stand. That was a big call as it loaded the bases with nobody out at the time for Colorado. The Rockies would go on to score three runs in that inning following the review.
The Marlins will try to take the series on Thursday with Jacob Turner scheduled to start.
