Even Jose Fernandez could not help the Miami Marlins end their slide as they lost a fifth straight game on Friday.
The final score of Friday's defeat was 6-3 with the Atlanta Braves coming out on top. This marked Miami's ninth loss in its last ten games. It also kept the door open for Miami to tie the Philadelphia Phillies for the worst record in Major League Baseball. With Philadelphia's' result pending, the Marlins sit only a half game ahead of the Phillies.
Fernandez did not pitch poorly, but he also did not last long. Miami's ace ended up only going five innings as the team took a cautious approach after a long start five days ago. Fernandez had thrown 114 pitches in his last start which was a season-high. In his time on the mound in this one, Fernandez allowed two runs on four hits while coming away with a no-decision.
Kendry Flores who was a new addition to the roster was the first out of the bullpen for Miami. Flores allowed three runs in 1.1 innings and was tagged with the loss. Mike Dunn also allowed a run while only retiring one hitter. Dunn has been slumping as of late and has a 4.79 E.R.A this season.
All of Miami's runs came in the seventh inning Adeiny Hechavarria picking up a pair of runs batted in. Hechavarria cleared two runners off the bases with his fourth triple of the season. Dee Gordon also brought home a run for the 28th time this year.
The Marlins will give the ball to Tom Koehler on Saturday, as they try to put an end to a skid that has them crashing into the basement of the division.
