Marlins Lose the Opening Series Against Mets

The Miami Marlins lost the rubber match of their opening weekend series 5-1 against the New York Mets Sunday afternoon.

High-Powered First Inning

Both pitchers struggled in the first inning as both players threw 30+ pitches in just the first frame. Trevor Rogers took the mound for the Fish and threw eight straight balls to load the bases for the Mets.

With the bases juiced, Jeff McNeil hit a chopper to the pitcher. The speedy McNeil beat out the throw to first by Rogers as a run scored. But a throwing error by Rogers allowed Pete Alonso to score with ease, getting the Mets and early two-run lead.

https://twitter.com/Mets/status/1642587111164346371?s=20

The Marlins got one back later in the inning with a Jorge Soler double that scored offseason pickup, Luis Arraez.

https://twitter.com/Marlins/status/1642590939335086081?s=20

Two straight walks loaded bases, eerily similar to the Mets earlier in the inning. With zero outs and all bases occupied, both Yuli Gurriel and Jesus Sanchez struck out swinging at the hand of Kodai Senga.

Jon Berti later lined out to end the eventful inning with three runners stranded.

Senga Sensation

Kodai Senga had his MLB debut Sunday. Senga, an off-season acquisition from Japan, left his outing after pitching 5.1 innings and giving up three hits and one earned run.

After a frustrating first inning, Senga cruised his way through the Marlins lineup. Senga introduced his ghost forkball to the league and found success throwing it against the Marlins last Sunday.

https://twitter.com/Mets/status/1642606220388229120?s=20

Senga struck out eight Marlins batters including Jazz Chisholm Jr. He used his forkball to sit Chisholm, the last batter he faced Sunday.

He is currently fourth in NL Rookie of the Year odds at +950.

Pham’s Phenomenal Day

In the top of the fifth inning, the Mets still held a 2-1 lead over the Marlins. Rogers has thrown 72 pitches thus far.

To start the inning, Rogers hit the opening batter, to bring up the start of the lineup. Tommy Pham then hit an absolute moonshot to left center field to give the Mets a 4-1 lead.

https://twitter.com/Mets/status/1642602451952910339?s=20

Pham then brought in another his next at-bat with a double in the 7th inning.

Missed Opportunities

Miami had nine baserunners Sunday, and only four of them traveled to second base. In the eighth inning, the Marlins had their best opportunity to gain momentum.

With runners on first and second, Avisail Garcia had a full count with two outs. The pitcher threw a four-seam fastball right down the plate. Garcia took the pitch and ended the inning and ending any hope of a rally entering the ninth.

A flat bottom of the ninth by Miami ended the game in a 5-1 defeat, and also gave New York the series, in a game that was in reach for the Marlins.

Final. pic.twitter.com/np6wZwEkff

— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) April 2, 2023

Looking Forward

Miami takes on the Minnesota Twins this week. The Twins swept the Kansas City Royals over the weekend. On Wednesday, Pablo Lopez makes his return to Miami after being dealt to the Twins last offseason for Luis Arraez.