MIAMI MARLINS NOTES:
MARLINS MINUTE
The Marlins today play the second of three-games at Chase Field as they continue a two-city, six-game road trip that started with three against the Cubs where they took one of three. After an off-day on Thursday, will begin a six-game homestand with three against the Reds from May 12-14 before hosting the Nationals from May 16-18.
YESTERDAY’S RECAP
Miami fell by a score of 2-5 to Arizona in the series opener last night. RF Jesus Sanchez went 2×3 with 2 doubles and 1 RBI while 2B Luis Arraez extended his season-long hitting streak to 11 games. LHP Braxton Garrett had a bounce-back outing, keeping the D-Backs in check through 5.0 1-run innings before they took the lead for good, putting 4 more runs up in the inning. PH Garrett Hampson had an RBI double in the ninth inning, his seventh double of the year.
ONE-RUN WONDERS
The Marlins are now 11-0 in one-run games in 2023, marking the most consecutive wins in games decided by one run to start a season in franchise history. Are the only team yet to lose a one-run game this season.
• Marks the most consecutive wins in games decided by one run in MLB history, matching a record set by the 1972 New York Mets (courtesy of Elias Sports Bureau).
• Miami played 64 games decided by one run in 2022, the most such games in the Majors last season. Miami’s 40 one-run losses were the most in a season in club history, the most since the 1975 Astros (41), and just three shy of the single-season record for one-run losses during the Live Ball Era (since 1920) held by the 1968 White Sox (44).
IN A PINCH
Though early in the season, the Marlins have gone 6×19 (.316) in pinch-hit appearances this season. Is tied with Arizona and Los Angeles-NL for the second-most pinch hits among NL teams behind only Cincinnati (7).
• Of the six hits, 3 have gone for extra bases, tied for the second-most pinch-hit XBH in MLB behind only Cincinnati (5).
KEPT SWIMMING
Sunday’s 14-inning contest marked Miami’s longest since Sept. 27, 2019, at Philadelphia (lost 3-4 in 15 innings), and was just the fifth MLB game to go 14 innings or more since the start of the 2020 season when the ghost-runner rule was introduced (15 innings – 2x, 16 innings – 2x).
• In franchise history, have only played 17 games longer than 14 innings.
GOOD FIRST IMPRESSIONS
2B Luis Arraez leads MLB with his .414 batting avg. (48×116) and .469 on-base pct., ranks 2nd with 48 hits, t-3rd with 13 multi-hit games, and 8th with his .978 OPS. Is currently riding an 11-game hitting streak, the longest by a Marlin this season.
• Is coming off of the best April in club history, setting records with his .438 avg. and .500 on-base pct. in 23 gms, becoming one of only two Marlins players to own a .400 avg. entering May (also, Dee Strange-Gordon, .409 in 2015).
• Trails Dee Strange-Gordon (58, 2015) and Mike Lowell (49, 2002) for the most hits in club history by a Marlins player through their first 32 games of a season. • Became the first player to finish the month of April with a batting average of .435 or better and an OBP of .500 or better since Barry Bonds (.472 AVG and .696 OBP) in 1994 (min: 50 AB) – courtesy of Elias Sports Bureau.
• Has struck out 8 times in 126 PA (.063 K/PA), the lowest mark in MLB among qualified batters.
SANDY STOPPER
Dating back to the start of the 2022 season, RHP Sandy Alcantara has posted a 2.61 ERA (96.2 IP/28 ER) in starts following at least 3 straight Marlins losses, with the team winning 10 of the 14 such starts.
• After going 8.1 innings Sunday at Chicago-NL, has now made 16 outings of at least 8.0 innings since the start of the 2022 season, more than double the amount of anyone else (Aaron Nola, 7).
CATCH US IF YOU CAN
The Marlins have stolen 29 bases this season, tied for eighth most in the Majors (fourth in NL). Have been caught just seven times, the sixth-best SB pct. in the NL (80.6%)
• Since the start of the 2020 season, the Marlins have combined to steal 165 bases on the road, the most of any team in MLB.
JAZZ HANDS
CF Jazz Chisholm Jr. has stolen 11 bases this season (in 13 attempts), leading the team and ranking fourth in the NL behind only Ronald Acuña Jr. (15), Ji Hwan Bae (14), and Nico Hoerner (12). His 11 steals in April tied the club record for most steals in the month of April (also, Luis Castillo, 1997).
OFF THE BENCH
• OF Jesus Sanchez has hit safely in 8 of his last 10 games, including 3 multi-hit efforts. Is batting .375 (12×32) over this span with 6 runs scored, 4 doubles, 2 home runs, and 7 RBI. Had doubles in 3 consecutive at-bats (14th inning, 5/7 at CHC; 3rd and 5th innings, 5/8 at ARI). Improved his batting avg. from .172 to .267 over this 10-game span.
• UTIL Garrett Hampson is hitting .300 (15×50) with 9 runs scored, 7 doubles, 6 RBI, and 2 SB in his last 18 gms. His 7 doubles rank 2nd among Marlins hitters.
HOMESTAND HIGHLIGHTS
The Marlins’ 30th Anniversary celebration will continue this Friday as they host former Marlins Livan Hernandez and Michael Tejera. Both Cuban-born, Hernandez and Tejera will be available for photo opportunities with fans at the Marlins Museum at 6 p.m. and will throw out a ceremonial first pitch as the club honors Cuban heritage prior to their Cuban Heritage Night taking place on Saturday, May 13. •On Sunday, May 14, give your special someone the best Mother’s Day reservation you can find in South Florida and book your trip to Marlins Baseball their series finale vs. Cincinnati. All moms attending the game will receive a flower at the gate and a special Marlins Mother’s Day T-shirt presented by OptiBrand RX.
DANCING ON A THIN LINE
Thus far in 2023, Miami is 16-0 when limiting opponents to 4 runs or less and has gone 1-17 when allowing 5 or more runs.
TODAY’S STARTER – #44 JESUS LUZARDO
• Jesus Luzardo, 25, will make his eighth start of the 2023 season and fourth career start against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Owns a 6.94 ERA (11.2 IP/9 ER) with 14 strikeouts against Arizona.
• His last outing against the Diamondbacks came on May 10, 2022 at Chase Field – tossed 2.2 innings, allowed 4 runs, and struck out 6 batters. Has 3 starts vs. ARI, going 1-1 with a 6.94 ERA (11.2 IP/ 9 ER).
• Is 1-1 with a 6.10 ERA (10.1 IP/7 ER) in 2 away starts with 11 strikeouts vs. 1-1 with a 2.79 ERA (29.0 IP/9 ER) with 32 strikeouts in 5 starts at home.
• Made 18 starts last season to match his career-high. Missed 71 games from May 10 to August 1 with a left forearm strain.
• On Tuesday, April 12, 2022 he set a career high with 12 strikeouts in just 5.0 innings of work at Angel Stadium in his first start of the season. Became the first pitcher in franchise history to strike out 12 batters in a start that lasted no more than 5.0 innings.
• Pitched at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, located in Parkland, Fla., approx. a half hour north of loanDepot park.
• Became a Florida Special Olympics ambassador in 2022 by promoting and supporting all champions at the Miami Race for Inclusion at Bayfront Park.
• In his first 15 starts at loanDepot park from July 30, 2021 – Sept. 16, 2022, went 5-7 with a 5.72 ERA (74.0 IP/47 ER) with 11 home runs, 35 walks, and 76 strikeouts. In 6 starts at home since Sept. 21, 2022, has gone 2-0 with a 1.75 ERA (36.0 IP/7 ER) with 11 walks, 50 strikeouts,
and 2 home runs allowed.
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS NOTES:
HERE’S THE STORY
♦ The D-backs are 3-1 in their 10-game homestand vs. Nationals (2-1), Marlins (1-0) and Giants (May 11-14).
♦ The D-backs are currently second in the NL West, 0.5 game behind the Dodgers…Arizona has spent 23 total days this season in or tied for first place (April 2-30).
♦ The D-backs are 7-3 in their last 10 games vs. Marlins (5-1 in 2022, 2-2 this season), including 5 1-run games (Arizona is 4-1).
♦ The D-backs’ 13 home runs in May are tied for second most in the Majors (also: Royals), behind the Braves (17) and ahead of the Rays (12) and Yankees (12), while their .543 SLG and .932 OPS are second to the Royals (.567 SLG/.932 OPS).
SNAKE BITES
♦ Brandon Pfaadt is making his second career Major League start.
♦ Christian Walker’s 7 homers since April 18 lead the Majors while his 17 RBI are tied for the most (also: Adolis GarcÃa/TEX)…has hit safely in 6 straight games, including 5 multi-hit eff orts… in his last 16 games, is hitting .377 (26- for-69)/1.174 OPS with 6 doubles, 7 home runs, 15 runs and 19 RBI.
♦ Lourdes Gurriel Jr. is hitting .727 (8-for-11) with 4 homers, 9 runs, 6 RBI and 4 walks in his last 4 games.
♦ Corbin Carroll is batting .372 (16-for-43) with 5 doubles, 1 triple, 1 homer and 3 RBI in his last 13 games.
CONGRATS, LOURDES!
♦ Yesterday, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. was excused from pregame preparations and not in Monday’s starting lineup as he was returning from his residence in Florida after successfully passing his U.S. Citizenship exam.
♦ Gurriel will officially take the Oath of Allegiance at a naturalization ceremony this Friday.
BALLY SPORTS ARIZONA TO TELEVISE 25 SPANISH GAMES
♦ For the seventh consecutive season, 25 D-backs’ games will be televised in Spanish on Bally Sports Arizona Extra and streamed on the Bally Sports app beginning May 12- 14 vs. Giants with Oscar Soria and Rodrigo López on the call, with occasional appearances by Richard Saenz.
EXTRA! EXTRA!
♦ Since April 6, the D-backs’ 105 extra-base hits (62 2B, 9 3B, 34 HR) are second most in the Majors, behind the Dodgers (106).
SWIPIN’ BAGS
♦ Last night, Gabriel Moreno collected his fi rst career stolen base (fi rst career attempt) in his 52nd career game.
♦ Arizona has 11 players with a stolen base this season…the club record is 18 in 2004.
DIAMOND-SMACKS
♦ The D-backs’ 11 hits with an exit velocity of 100+ MPH last night tied for the most in a game this season (also: Blue Jays, Braves, Pirates, Nationals and Cardinals) [source: Sportradar].
OFFENSE AMONG THE REST
♦ The D-backs rank in the Majors in strikeouts (2nd fewest, 262), sac fl ys (2nd, 14), triples (2nd, 9), average (2nd, .272), hits (3rd, 323), doubles (4th, 72) and stolen bases (7th, 30).
STARTER RHYTHM
♦ Since April 25, D-backs’ starters have surrendered the fewest walks (9) in the Majors and lead in strikeout-to-walk ratio (6.33), ahead of the Phillies (5.36).
RHP BRANDON PFAADT ♦ #32
AT A GLANCE:
• Selected by the D-backs in the fifth round of the 2020 First-Year Player draft out of Bellarmine University.
• Named the D-backs’ 2022 Minor League Pitcher of the Year after going 11-7 with a 3.83 ERA (71 ER in 167.0 IP), 218 strikeouts and 1.16 WHIP in 29 starts with Double-A Amarillo and Triple-A Reno…led all organization farmhands in wins, ERA and strikeouts.
• Attended Bellarmine University for 3 years (2018-2020)… was the second-highest draft pick in school history behind Todd Wellemeyer (4th round, 2000) and 9th all-time.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Is making his second career start, first @ Chase Field.
• Entered the season rated as the D-backs’ No. 4 prospect by The Athletic (No. 38 overall) and MLB Pipeline (No. 59 overall) and No. 5 by Baseball America.
LAST START : Did not factor in the decision in his Major League debut on May 3 @ Rangers (ND; 7 ER in 4.2 IP).
VS. MARLINS : Is making his first career appearance.
RENO RECAP: Went 2-1 with a 3.91 ERA (11 ER in 25.1 IP), 30 strikeouts and 1.18 WHIP in 5 starts with the Aces.
• Ranked among Pacific Coast League leaders at the time of his promotion in strikeouts (T-1st), WHIP (2nd), ERA (5th), win percentage (5th, .667), opponent average (T-5th, .245) and innings pitched (10th).
DEBUT DETAILS: Is the second D-backs starting pitcher to make their MLB debut @ Rangers and first @ Globe Life Field.
• Nelson Figueroa is the only other D-back pitcher to make their big league debut @ Rangers on June 3, 2000.
• Is the first D-backs starter to make his debut in 2023… in 2022, Arizona had 3 starters make their MLB debuts: Tommy Henry on Aug. 3, Ryne Nelson on Sept. 5 and Drey Jameson on Sept. 15.
