There were RBIs and home runs, a torrid pace that lifted his batting average above.200 for the first time this season when the Rays returned home Wednesday from an eight-game road trip to continue their series with the Marlins.
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“I’ve been feeling so strong and I’m pacing myself the way I should be in the games”, Fernandez said Thursday after striking out 12 in seven innings in a 9-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays.
Gillespie had a late tiebreaking RBI single, Marcell Ozuna drove in two runs and the Miami Marlins beat the Tampa Bay Rays 4-3 on Wednesday night.
“Swinging at good pitches to hit, not missing them”, Morrison said of his three-hit game. DH J.T. Realmuto moved up from his normal seventh spot to fourth.
Matt Andriese pitched six innings for the Rays, giving up eight hits and three earned runs.
Hechavarria’s third home run drove in the final two runs of a three-run second inning off Rays starter Drew Smyly. The Miami Marlins offense has been hit or miss lately, and they’ve won six of their last seven games when scoring more than three runs. As they head to Atlanta for a three-game series they could easily sweep with similar production, the Marlins have their best momentum in the past month. Most of that damage came in his second frame, though, as he allowed just a two out single in his first inning in the big leagues. “Coming to games here, it’s insane from where I’ve come from and what has had to happen, ” Garton said.
Tampa Bay had opportunities but kept losing its baserunners – double plays in the first and fourth innings, a runner caught stealing in the first, their first two runners on in the third before three straight outs to end the rally. “I think that’s what it was in the spring, but we’ll find out”.
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NOTES: With an overworked bullpen in need of help, the Rays selected RHP Ryan Garton from Triple-A Durham, where the 26-year-old had a 2.38 ERA in 14 appearances. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Rays designated INF Jake Goebbert for assignment. The Marlins used a designated hitter for the first time this season, with INF Justin Bour batting third. They’re also 1-4 in their last five home games versus a right-handed starter and have lost five of six versus a team with a winning record. Logan Morrison had three hits and Brad Miller had two hits and two stolen bases for the Rays, who ended a three-game slide. Rays pitchers held their own when asked to hit at Marlins Park.
