Lopez wins in major league debut

MIAMI— During theMarlins’ 5-2 win Saturday afternoon over the Mets, Miami right-hander Pablo Lopez quickly got a taste of both sides of the major leagues during his debut.

Lopez’s start began about as well as he could have wished, with an overpowering strikeout of leadoff hitter BrandonNimmo. The next pitch shattered any cheerfulness ushered in by Lopez’s career-starting strikeout as Jose Bautista blasted a solo home run.

But the rest of Lopez’s firstmajor league appearance was less eventful and the 22-year-oldVenezuelan delivered a strong opening statement in his first start with the Marlins. He completed six innings, allowing just two runs and striking out fiveMets in front of 10,523 atMarlins Park.

“I’m extremely happywith the way itwent, with the atmosphere on the field, the atmosphere in the clubhouse with all the teammates,” Lopez said. “I’ll take everything from the experience, and it’s something I will cherish for the rest ofmy life. Having the opportunity to play this game, it’s already magical, it’s already special enough.”

Like Sandy Alcantara the night before, Lopez picked up his first major league victory. The Marlins (34-50) andMets (32-48) are now tied for the worst record in the National League, with Miami percentage points ahead of New York.

Alcantara and Lopez became the first NL teammates to win their debuts in back-to-back days since 1967, when Gary Nolan and Mel Queen did so forCincinnati.

“I know there was a lot of yelling and screaming over the course of the winter, butwe, from [Marlins CEO] Derek [Jeter ] to [president of baseball operations Michael Hill], talked about building something, building it with pitching,” Marlins manager Don Mattingly said.