Marlins Win 7-6 vs Cubs: Game Recap

Ryan Schlesinger's game recap of the Marlins big win to take the series against the Cubs!

Today I attended my second regular-season Marlins game of 2023. I came to loanDepot park today to see my first win in person this season after I saw the Fish fall to the Mets in Kodai Senga’s MLB debut on Opening Weekend. The Marlins started off this three-game series with a walk-off win on Friday, thanks to some clutch heroics by Jean Segura & the Marlins in the 9th inning. With the 7-6 win today, the Marlins took the series against the Cubbies, and they’ll look to sweep for the first time this season tomorrow afternoon! Today the Marlins picked up their 9th win at loanDepot park, their first win wearing Legacy Red uniforms, their fourth win on Saturdays, and their ninth one-run win.

Edward Cabrera:

Photo by Danis Sosa

Although it was not pretty, Edward Cabrera did the job today for the Miami Marlins. He pitched five innings, allowed three hits, two earned runs, walked five batters, 12 strikeouts, and one homer. Cabrera’s stuff was pretty good today, as it’s been all season, but the command was still a problem. Five free passes in five innings are unacceptable; luckily, he got away with it thanks to a career-high of 12 strikeouts! Eddy continues to remind Marlins fans that he would be elite if he didn’t walk so many hitters! Cabrera had to pitch from the stretch right away after Nico Hoerner singled and Dansby Swanson walked to start off the first inning. But Cabrera struck out Ian Happ and got Seiya Suzuki to ground into a double play to end the top of the first. Edward Cabrera started off the top of the second inning by striking out Cody Bellinger. Trey Mancini then hit a one-out single. Miami native Eric Hosmer struck out for the second out of the inning. With two outs and a runner on first, Cabrera made his biggest mistake of the day by allowing a no-doubter 2-run shot to Patrick Widsom. Cabrera then struck out Tucker Barnhart, so he struck out the side but not without giving up a single and a homer. Cabrera walked Hoerner, Swanson, and Happ, loading the bases with no outs to start the third inning. Then Cabrera somehow struck out Suzuki & Bellinger and got Suzuki to ground into a force to end the inning and escape a bases-loaded no-out jam. Eddy had an amazing fourth inning, striking out Hosmer, Wisdom, and Barnhart to strike out the side in order. Cabrera nearly did the same in the fifth inning, as he struck out the side but walked Ian Happ with two outs. Andrew Nardi relieved Edward Cabrera in the sixth after he threw a total of 109 pitches.

Marlins Hitters:

Photo by Danis Sosa

The Marlins recorded 12 hits today and a 5-run first inning where they had a bat around. Their 5-run first inning was the first time they scored 5+ runs in the first inning since August 28, 2021, vs. Cincinnati. Six of the Marlins nine players in their batting order recorded a hit today, and four of those six players recorded more than one hit. Luis Arraez had three hits today and was intentionally walked for the third time this month! It also looks like Jazz Chisholm is starting to heat up, as he went 3-4 today with two RBIs and a run scored. Jorge Soler and Bryan De La Cruz reminded us that we all have bad days, as they each left seven runners on base today.

Marlins Bullpen:

Photo by Danis Sosa

The Marlins bullpen has been nails so far this season; today, it was a little shaky. Nardi was the first to pitch out of the pen, and he allowed four hits, including and failed to record any outs. Skip then made a smart move to bring in Huascar Brazoban, and he was one of the only bright spots in the bullpen today. Brazoban pitched two innings, allowing no earned runs, striking out two, and walking none. With Floro & Puk unavailable, we knew closing out this game would be tough. Steven Okert came in for the eighth inning, allowed two runs, and walked three guys. Thankfully, Matt Barnes cleaned up the mess and ended the inning. My Dad and I agree that Steven Okert hasn’t looked at himself after starting 2023 on the IL this season. Tanner Scott came in for the 9th inning with just a one-run cushion, looking for his second save of the year. Ian Happ grounded out to second to start the 9th inning, one out. Seiya Suzuki then hit a line-drive single. With one out and one on, Scott struck out Bellinger. Tanner Scott then struck out Trey Mancini to end the game and secure another one-run victory! After leading by five runs at one point, the Marlins ended up hanging on to barely win. Thank you for reading my article, and I’ll see you guys next time, go Fish!