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The Miami Marlins spoil the New York Mets’ home opening series and dominate the struggling Mets 7-2 at Citi Field.
Miami’s Early Start
Entering Sunday’s game, the Mets have dominated the Marlins. New York won four of the last five games against Miami and outscored them 31-13.
The Fish came out swinging Sunday. Leadoff hitter Jazz Chisholm Jr. started the game with a leadoff single. Chisholm immediately stole second and third. A Luis Arraez walk brought up Bryan De La Cruz with one out and runners on the corners.
After taking the two first strikes, Mets pitcher Carlos Carrasco threw a hanging slider in which De La Cruz clobbered to deep left-center field and made it a 3-0 ballgame.
You can have three cookies, Bryan. #MakeItMiami pic.twitter.com/zDvCP9gBAi
— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) April 9, 2023
Carrasco got out of the inning two batters later.
Braxton Garrett took the mound for Miami and cruised in the first inning. After Tommy Pham struck out, Starling Marte doubled and stole third base. Marte then left the game with a neck strain on his steal attempt.
Garrett did not let the runner bother him as he struck out both Franciso Lindor and Pete Alonso on sliders down and away from the plate.
Braxton Garrett's 3 1st Inning Ks. pic.twitter.com/dsuCB1DDO5
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 9, 2023
Pitching Malpractice
Both Carrasco and Garrett had outings they would like to forget, but for different reasons.
Braxton Garrett allowed nine hits through 4.2 innings. Garrett’s nine hits are tied for the most hits he has allowed in his career. A three-hit inning in the second allowed the Mets to score one run off of a Francisco Alvarez single.
In the top of the fifth, Carrasco let up a Jon Berti single with one out. Berti immediately stole second. Chisholm Jr. then singled to bring in Berti and made it a 4-1 game. bringing up Garrett Cooper. After fouling off the first pitch, Carrasco left another slider down the plate. Carasco did not learn from his mistake in the first inning. Cooper belted the 82 MPH slider in the exact location as De La Cruz’s ball.
Carrasco’s day came to an end when he gave up a five-pitch walk to De La Cruz two batters later. The Mets got out of the inning soon after Carrasco’s departure.
SEND IT OUT COOP.
Marlins up 6 in the 5th. #MakeItMiami pic.twitter.com/EQPLUEXbsD
— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) April 9, 2023
Garrett’s day came to an end a half inning later. With two outs and a runner on second, Pete Alonso swung at the first pitch he saw. Alonso’s single scored the runner. Mark Cahana then doubled to left field. Alonso was unable to score and was stopped at third. Garrett was pulled right after.
Marlins got out of the inning after a fielder’s choice to third.
Road Trip Continues
After De La Cruz’s sacrifice fly in the seventh inning, minimal action occurred, and the Marlins beat the Mets 7-2 and avoided the sweep.
Hopefully it's sunny in Philadelphia. #MakeItMiami pic.twitter.com/uIUK6B0Ndr
— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) April 9, 2023
Miami travels three hours west to Philadelphia to face the struggling Phillies. The Phillies are coming off a ninth-inning choke against the Cincinnati Reds. The Phillies appear to be on a World Series hangover and started rough.
The Marlins are starting Sandy Alcantara in Monday’s game. Their ace pitcher gave three hits and no runs in a complete game shutout in his last start. The unanimous Cy Young award winner will be looking for revenge Monday night against the Phillies. Alcantara was 1-3 with a 3.16 ERA last season against Philadelphia, but a struggling Phillies team may be what Miami needs to build momentum in the NL East.
