Mike Salas
Game 151, 9/17/2024: Dodgers 9, Marlins 11
MIAMI, FL — After a four-game series split with the Atlanta Braves, the Los Angeles Dodgers go into LoanDepot Park for a three-game series against the Miami Marlins. Miguel Rojas returned to Miami where he was a two-time Gold Glove Award finalist, slashed .265/.318/.366 with 136 doubles, 10 triples, 38 homers and 46 stolen bases in 870 games across eight seasons with the Marlins from 2015-22.
The Marlins got on the board first after Bobby Miller gave up two singles and a single off Gavin Lux‘s glove error at second base. Miami continued to hit singles off Miller’s fastball and went up 2-0 in the bottom of the first. In all the Marlin had five hits in the inning. Not what you want if you’re Bobby Miller.
Going into the bottom of the second inning, Miller continued to struggle with his command and first pitch strikes. The Marlins took advantage of Miller’s fastball placement and continued to play small ball scoring two more runs in the inning.
In the top of the third, Hunter Feduccia, who was called up after Austin Barnes was put on the IL, hit a single up the middle with Shoei Ohtani on deck. Ohtani took the third pitch and crushed a 402-foot home run into the right field seats. With that home run, Ohtani moved to 48 home runs and 48 stolen bases getting him closer to 50/50. At the end of the top of the third, the Dodgers offense came through and tied the game 4-4.
Michael Grove came into the bottom of the third to replace Bobby Miller. Miller’s line, 65P / 38S / 2IP / 7H / 4R / 4ER / 1BB / 2K / 8.52ERA. With Miller only lasting two innings, Dodgers management will have some serious discussions on if he will make the playoff roster. Dodgers gave a run back after Grove served up a fastball to Marlins Otto Lopez and he put over the left field wall giving Miami the lead.
In the top of the fourth inning, Miguel Rojas gave the Miami fans a home coming memento by tying the game back up with a solo shot to centerfield. In the bottom of the fourth inning Dodger pitchers struggled once again to complete a clean inning, and the Marlins took the lead once again scoring two more runs.
Dodgers’ bullpen did not have their best stuff tonight. Michael Grove and Ryan Brasier gave up five runs in the fifth and sixth innings. Max Muncy was doing his part by driving in his third RBI of the game in the sixth to keep the Dodgers close going into the seventh inning.
The Marlins wrapped it up in the bottom of the eighth inning. LF Jesus Sanchez singles giving him a career best 5 for 5 for the night. 1B Jake Burger capped it off with a two-run bomb to centerfield putting Miami up 11-7. Dodgers made it interesting in the nineth but came up short.
The Dodgers offense looks to be locked in, but the starting pitching needs to be figured out before the postseason starts. The Dodgers bullpen arms have pitched twenty-five of the last forty-two innings and desperately need a break.
Tomorrow’s game is another 3:40 start and can be seen on SportsNet LA. Landon Knack takes the mound for LA and looks to even up the series one game apiece.
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