Richards’ strong start wasted by lack of runs
All the Miami Marlins do is hit home runs. Their problem is they’re all solo.
Through two games of the 2019 season, the Marlins’ offense still hasn’t found anything resembling a measure of consistency. All four of Miami’s runs so far have come off solo home runs, including one by outfielder Curtis Granderson on Friday. In two games against the Colorado Rockies, it hasn’t been enough to muster a win. The Marlins wasted an excellent outing by Trevor Richards on Friday, falling 6-1 in Miami.
Richards, who posted a 1.86 ERA in five spring training starts, picked up where he left off for the Marlins (0-2) against the Rockies’ potent lineup. The starting pitcher cruised through six innings at Marlins Park, striking out four primarily by leaning on his changeup, which is quickly becoming a trademark pitch. Sitting around 82 mph with heavy break, the changeup got All-Star infielders Nolan Arenado and Trevor Story both to whiff.
Story, however, drew a walk against Richards in the sixth inning to manufacture the only run for Colorado (2-0) against Richards. Outfielder David Dahl, who also struck out on the changeup in his previous at-bat, then ripped a ground ball to the right side and Neil Walker wasn’t quick enough to get his glove down at first base. The grounder shot into the outfield and Dahl eased into second as Story raced home to tie the game at 1-1.
An inning later, manager Don Mattingly inserted reliever Adam Conley. Ryan McMahon led off with a double against Conley (0-1) and All-Star outfielder Charlie Blackmon drove him in with another to give the Rockies the lead.
URENA FEELS OK
Jose Ureña walked through the home clubhouse at Marlins Park before a Friday game against the Rockies without anything resembling a limp. Less than 24 hours earlier, Urena took a line drive off the inside of his left knee on Opening Day and battled some tightness as he labored through 42⁄3 innings.
The Marlins don’t expect it to cost Urena any time, though. The starting pitcher went through his usual day-after-start routine and Don Mattingly said Ureña is on track to make his next scheduled start, which would likely come Tuesday against the New York Mets.
“I was surprised,” the manager said before the second game of the Marlins’ season. “I actually saw him right when he was walking in. His gait looked good. I think he had a little swelling in there, it sounded like from medical. He went out and did his running, his first day after a start. He looked pretty good, so we’re pretty confident that he’ll be good.”
As Mattingly spoke from the home dugout in Miami, Ureña wrapped up batting practice, where he comfortably laid down bunts after finishing his typical workout session.
“It’s pretty good. It feels better,” Ureña said. “I just did kind of a complete workout like I do my routine all the time after I pitch, so everything was fine. It was a little swelling.”
Ureña will have a bullpen session Sunday, Mattingly said. As long as everything goes according to plan, Ureña will be able to take his usual turn in the Marlins’ rotation.
GRANDERSON HOMERS IN DEBUT FRIDAY
Granderson didn’t get to make his debut with Miami on the first day of the season, but he didn’t have to wait long Friday to finally get into the batter’s box. The veteran outfielder is making his first start for the Marlins, manning left field and hitting in the lead-off spot against Rockies starting pitcher German Marquez — he led off the bottom of the first with a walk and homered to right in the fourth.
Although he said Thursday he likes the potential fellow outfielder Lewis Brinson has at the top of Miami’s order, Mattingly said Granderson batting first is something he foresees as a fixture, at least for the immediate future.
“We’ll see how it goes. Obviously, you’re looking for the best results, so it depends what the results we’re getting how it goes,” Mattingly said.
Granderson sat out Opening Day because the Rockies (1-0) sent out Kyle Freeland, a Cy Young Award-hopeful left-hander. Something like a platoon at the top of the order could be possible for Brinson.