De La Cruz sets tone as Miami Marlins salvage series finale against New York Mets
Bryan De La Cruz has shown flashes of his potential ever since the Miami Marlins acquired him at the trade deadline two seasons ago.
Now, with an opportunity to fully showcase his talent, De La Cruz views the 2023 season as a chance for a breakout year.
“The season that I will have this year will be something that will surprise many,” the 26-year-old outfielder said. “I believe in myself. I believe in God. And I’m just going to keep working hard.”
If Sunday’s 7-2 win over the New York Mets — a win that allowed the Marlins to avoid a series sweep at Citi Field — was any indication, De La Cruz could be on to something.
De La Cruz opened scoring with a three-run home run and either reached base or drove in a run with each of his four subsequent plate appearances to pace a Marlins (4-6) offense that had a breakout game it was yearning for.
In addition to the home run, De La Cruz also drew walks in the fourth and fifth innings, hit a sacrifice fly in the seventh and added a single in the ninth. His four RBI tied a single-game career-high. His home run came on a low-and-in slider from Carlos Carrasco that he sent 388 feet to left-center field.
It was a game that was reminiscent of his performances over the final month of the 2022 season, when he hit .388 with a 1.137 on-base-plus-slugging percentage, six home runs and 22 RBI over 23 games after being demoted to Triple A Jacksonville for a nearly month-long stint.
“I’m feeling better,” De La Cruz said. “I’m just getting back to my rhythm. I’m getting more and more games, more at-bats, getting that trust.”
Garrett Cooper added a two-run home run, which went 404 feet to left field. It was his third of the season and was part of a three-run fifth inning. Cooper also hit a double in the seventh inning and scored on De La Cruz’s sacrifice fly. He leads the team with seven RBI, is tied with Jorge Soler in home runs and is one of five Marlins players with four runs scored.
It was more than enough run support for Miami’s pitching staff. Braxton Garrett held the Mets (5-5) to two runs over 4 2/3 innings while striking out seven. The bullpen threw 4 1/3 scoreless innings to seal the win.
Miami dropped the first two games of the series 9-3 on Friday and 5-2 on Saturday.
“They beat us the first two games,” Cooper said, “but to come out here and salvage a win ... it’s big for us moving forward.”
Jazz Chisholm Jr. ejected
Marlins center fielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. was ejected in the seventh inning after arguing a called third strike to lead off the seventh inning.
The call in question was on a pitch that barely clipped the lower outside corner while Chisholm had a full count.
Chisholm had made his opinion known on two other called strikes that came in three-ball counts during his second at-bat of the game in the third inning. All three of the pitches were in the same area.
Chisholm had gone 2 for 4 with two stolen bases and two runs scored prior to the ejection.
Garrett Hampson replaced Chisholm in center field for the final three innings of the game.
Avisail Garcia, JT Chargois injured
Outfielder Avisail Garcia and relief pitcher JT Chargois both left Sunday’s game with injuries.
Garcia was removed in the fourth inning with left hamstring soreness. Chargois left with right back soreness after facing one batter and throwing three pitches in the seventh inning. Jesus Sanchez replaced Garcia in right field.
Garcia twice last season went on the injured list for hamstring strains. He missed a combined 46 games due to the injuries.
“I’m not going to make the same mistake,” Garcia said. “If I feel something, I’m going to say something. I don’t want to get hurt and miss a month or two months.”
Garcia went 0 for 2 in his two at-bats Sunday, grounding out to third base in the first inning and flying out to right-center in the fourth. He is hitting just .103 (3 for 29) with a home run through nine games played.
Chargois, who the Marlins acquired in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays this offseason, has retired all 13 batters he has faced so far this season. That included Luis Guillorme, who he got to ground out to Jean Segura at third base for the only out he recorded in the seventh before heading to the dugout with head athletic trainer Lee Meyer.
“It’s been bothering me for several days, but it’s been manageable,” Chargois said. “It was just sharper than it has been.”
Dylan Floro entered for Chargois and threw 1 2/3 scoreless innings.
Roster move
Prior to the game, the Marlins selected the contract of left-handed pitcher Devin Smeltzer. They optioned left-handed pitcher Daniel Castano to Triple A Jacksonville to make room for Smeltzer on the active roster and designated for assignment right-handed pitcher Eli Villalobos to make room on the 40-man roster.
Up next
The Marlins travel to Philadelphia for a three-game set with the Phillies to wrap up their first road trip of the season.
The scheduled starting pitchers for the series are as follows: Sandy Alcantara (1-0, 1.84 ERA) against Matt Strahm (0-0, 0.00) on Monday, Jesus Luzardo (1-0, 0.71) against Aaron Nola (0-1, 7.45) on Tuesday and Edward Cabrera (0-1, 5.40) against Zack Wheeler (0-1, 5.59) on Wednesday.
This story was originally published April 9, 2023 at 4:32 PM.
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