Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Garcia’s six scoreless innings a big relief
MIAMI — Jarlin Garcia not only was a game-saver for the Marlins in Friday’s 17-inning marathon win against the Chicago Cubs, he turned an extended relief appearance into an impressive audition in his conversion into a starting pitcher.
The left-hander entered in the 10th inning and retired the first 15 hitters he faced before walking the leadoff man in the 15th and serving a single to Kris Bryant. He kept the Cubs from scoring with the help of a slick inning-ending double-play started by Derek Dietrich.
That was the only hit Garcia allowed in six shutout innings, the third-longest relief outing in Marlins history, while striking out six.
With the Cubs’ Eddie Butler going seven innings before taking the loss in Miami’s 2-1 victory, it was the first time in MLB that each team used a reliever for at least six innings since the Marlins and Mets on June 8, 2013, when Kevin Slowey went seven for Miami and Shaun Marcum tossed eight for New York.
“I don’t even think I’ve played a 17-inning game before, let alone having two guys come and throw almost complete games out of the ’pen and not lose control of the strike zone,” said Brian Anderson, who scored the winning run on Miguel Rojas’ two-out single off Brandon Morrow in the 17th. “It was incredible, and it was fun to watch.”
The efforts of Garcia and Butler led to the longest game at Marlins Park and the third-longest by innings for the franchise behind 20-inning affairs in 2003 and 2013.
It concluded about 12:30 Saturday morning with mascot Billy the Marlins leading the celebration in pajamas and night cap.
Garcia’s ability to eat up so many innings prevented the Marlins from exhausting their bullpen and avoided having to call up a fresh arm from the minors.
It also creates an intriguing question about Garcia’s immediate future. The Marlins are in the process of building up the 25-year-old to return to a starting role. He started in the minors before spending most of last season in the Marlins’ bullpen as a situational lefty.
As he logged only 53 1⁄3 innings last season, all in relief, the plan was to start him in the minors where his workload and rest can be carefully managed. Injuries and roster machinations led to him beginning the season on the Opening Day roster.
Marlins manager Don Mattingly indicated Saturday that Garcia may be better served to continue the process in the minors.
But, he said, “I think last night really speaks to the fact that we think he can be a starter. Jarlin has the pitches to be able to start. He’s a big, strong kid. I think it’s probably better for him to get his time in between [outings] where he’s got a routine.”
There was a moment of concern during his fifth inning of work when Garcia walked behind the mound after a pitch shaking out his left arm. Mattingly, pitching coach Juan Nieves and trainer Dustin Luepker rushed out to check on him. But Garcia wasn’t hurt. “I was just trying to gather myself, get some time and gather my emotions and focus on my delivery,” he said. “I thought my delivery was a little off.”
Clutch turn
The ball Heyward hit was a rocket down the first-base line. Dietrich snagged it, stepped on first and threw home to Chad Wallach, who had to tag Bryant to complete the double play.
Dietrich was pressed into service in the infield for the first time this year after
Justin Bour left for a pinch runner and back-up Garrett Cooper was also out after being hit by a pitch.
Dietrich played first in past seasons but focused in spring training on his move to left field.
“I took some ground balls, but I didn’t play any first or in the infield in the spring. But it all comes back to you. It’s like riding a bike,” Dietrich said, adding that on the ball hit by Heyward, “You just react to that ball. He absolutely hammered that ball. I don’t know how hard it was hit, but it was surely hit hard.”