Pitcher Jeff Brigham falls in MLB debut.
Rookie struggles with command, giving up 3 runs in 3 innings
MIAMI — Making his major league debut, Jeff Brigham was unable to power the Marlins past the Blue Jays in the rubber match of their three-game set.
The rookie pitcher lasted just three innings, giving up three runs as Miami fell 6-1 on Sunday afternoon.
“I didn’t stay within myself early,” Brigham said. “It was a big day for me and definitely a good learning experience.
“My tempo was a little slow and I wasn’t finishing my pitches — wasn’t trusting myself. I think that’s one of the big issues there. A lot of pitches were left up.”
The Marlins offense struggled in the loss, stringing together just four hits against Toronto rookie Sean Reid-Foley. The righthander pitched seven innings, allowing one run, while striking out 10. J.T. Riddle provided Miami with its lone RBI, scoring Rafael Ortega on a bases-loaded walk.
Brigham, who was called up from Triple-A New Orleans on Saturday, struggled with his command during his debut, allowing four hits, four walks and one hitby-pitch. Of his 82 pitches, 45 went for strikes.
“Talking with [catcher] Chad [Wallach], he had never seen him all over the place like that,” Marlins manager Don Mattingly said. “So, hopefully it’s one we get out of the way and next time out, he settles down and we get more like what we think we have. I think
“I wasn’t finishing my pitches — wasn’t trusting myself. I think that’s one of the big issues.” Jeff Brigham, Marlins rookie pitcher
you can chalk that one up to [ jitters].”
The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the first inning, after quickly loading the bases on Brigham. Kendrys Morales drove in one run off a sacrifice fly, but the Marlins righty was able to escape the frame without any further harm.
In the third, Brigham found himself in another bases-loaded jam. The rookie gave up back-to-back sacrifice flies, giving Toronto a 3-0 lead.
The Blue Jays blew the game open in the fifth, courtesy of a three-run homer from Teoscar Hernandez off Brett Graves. Hernandez’s 19th home run of the season went 409 feet with an exit velocity of 106.4 MPH.
Marlins reliever Nick Wittgren had a strong outing in his first appearance since June 28. After being recalled from New Orleans on Saturday as part of September callups, the righthander tossed two perfect innings, while striking out two.
With the loss, Miami wrapped up interleague play with a 9-11 record. The team will kick off a threegame series with the Phillies on Monday afternoon at Marlins Park.