I don’t mean to be mean here, but statistically speaking the 2024 Miami Marlins are a bad team. Going into tonight’s game, they had the worst record in baseball, and even for a not-spectacular Tigers club, this is one of those series where Detroit should win.
Matt Manning started out well through his fist few innings, the offense was hot, and it sure looked like the Tigers had this on lock, but then the Tigers Toger’d, and, well, let’s just look at how it played out. (Don’t panic, there’s a happy ending)
In the first, Manning started out strong, with two quick outs, then a single to hard-swinging Josh Bell, before getting the final out. The Tigers went down in order against Marlins’ starter Sixto Sanchez.
Top of the second and Nick Gordon got a one-out single, then stole second successfully. The hustle was for naught, though, as the Marlins left him stranded. Kerry Carpenter continues to swing a hot bat, singling to start the bottom half. Colt Keith reached safely on a fielder’s choice that resulted in zero outs thanks to a fielding error from Vidal Brujan. Zach McKinstry got a one-out walk to load the bases. Javier Baez grounded into a force play that eliminated baserunner McKinstry, but it brought a runner home in the form of Carpenter. A Carson Kelly single then scored Keith. A Riley Greene single then scored Baez. The Tigers were up 3-0 at the end of the second inning and definitely feeling good about themselves.
Christian Bethancourt opened up the third with a walk. Jazz Chisholm Jr. then singled to put two on. A pop-out and a double play managed to eliminate the threat in short order. The Tigers failed to extend their lead, or even place a baserunner in the bottom of the third, and soon enough they’d come to regret it.
In the fourth, a Nick Gordon single was the sole baserunner for the Marlins. There was some good Tigers hustle in the bottom of the inning from McKinstry which unfortunately didn’t pay dividends, McKinstry got a one-out walk, stole second, and then seeing his opportunity tried to make it all the way home, only to be thrown out at home for the final out of the inning.
Things got away from Manning in the fifth. Vidal Brujan singled, then advanced to second on a wild pitch. Two outs later, Bryan De La Cruz singled to score Brujan. A Josh Bell double then scored De La Cruz. Jesus Sanchez then singled to score Bell, and the game was suddenly tied. In the bottom of the fifth Mark Canha managed a two-out single, followed by a Wenceel Perez single. That was it for Sixto Sanchez, who was replaced by Andrew Nardi. Kerry Carpenter was pulled in favor of lefty-masher Andy Ibanez, who unfortunately flyed out to end the inning.
In the sixth, Brujan hit a two-out double, which chased Manning from the game. His final line for the night was 5.2 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 5 K on 81 pitches. It wasn’t a good start, but there was a lot to like in the first three innings, especially some heads-up base coverage. So I’m not ready to bring out the pitchforks just yet. Alex Faedo was out of the pen to get the final out and did just that with a strikeout. Matt Vierling replaced Colt Keith to start the bottom of the inning, but nothing stopped the Tigers from going down in order.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. singled to start the seventh, then Carson Kelly picked him off in a steal attempt. Two outs followed. Calvin Faucher came out of the Marlins pen in relief. Three outs came along in quick succession.
Going into the eighth you might think “hey, a tie game through eight isn’t bad, there’s still a chance!” and I admire your optimism, you dear, sweet angel. With two outs Nick Gordon singled, followed by an Otto Lopez home run and just like that, the Marlins were up 5-3. But LO and HARK it’s not the worst just yet.
Anthony Maldonado came out of the Marlins pen, and Wenceel Perez hit a one-out triple. Andy Ibanez singled and just like that, the score was 5-4. Then heroics in the least expected place as Spencer Torkelson hit a home run and, as Carrie Bradshaw would say, just like that the Tigers were leading 6-5.
Onto the ninth, and now the Tigers just needed to hold onto the lead. Jason Foley was the man they turned to to get the job done. And he did it in order.
Final: Tigers 6, Marlins 5