One pitcher at a time: Marlins piece together 4-3 win over Rays

It takes a village to raise a child. These days, it might take one to win a game for the Miami Marlins

This month, no team in the National League has dug into their bullpen more than the Marlins, who have already used 11 different relief pitchers this week.

In Miami’s 4-3 win against the Tampa Bay Rays, the Marlins effectively cycled through seven pitchers, carrying a combined perfect game into the fifth inning and a no-hitter game into the sixth.

Right-handed pitcher Lake Bachar earned his second start of the week after not allowing a hit over 2 2/3 innings in the Marlins’ 7-3 win over the Washington Nationals on Tuesday.

“Lake’s a good pitcher. He’s got weapons that let him attack hitters from both sides,” said Marlins manager Clayton McCullough. “He exceeded expectations with that today. It’s hard to go nine up nine down right out of the chute.”

He followed that with another hitless outing Saturday, striking out three over three innings before being replaced by right-hander Anthony Bender, who also did not allow a hit in his only inning.

Of the seven pitchers Miami used, only two, Calvin Faucher and Pete Fairbanks, allowed multiple hits.

“It goes a long way,” Bachar said of the pitching staff’s willingness to embrace a next-man-up approach as Miami navigates its rotation injuries. “We understand how our bullpen’s been running. We know to go out as long as we can and hand the ball to the next guy, and he’s going to pick you up.”

In stark contrast to Friday night’s lopsided 6-0 loss, Saturday’s win showcased the kind of adaptability Miami will need to stay afloat as its rotation remains short-handed.

With injuries to Janson Junk, Eury Perez and Robby Snelling, McCullough walked through the allocation of chess pieces that he has to deal with as he puts together the bullpen brigades needed to get his squad through a limited stretch

“There will be a juncture in the game where a decision comes for which way you want to pivot,” McCullough said before the game. “We have nine relievers today that we could utilize. You run those handoffs as far as you can go.”

While the Rays came alive for three runs during the final two innings, Miami’s early offensive burst built enough of a cushion for Tyler Zuber to earn his first career save.

Third baseman Javier Sanoja led the way, hitting his second home run of the season while going 3 for 4 with two RBI.

Shortstop Otto Lopez continued to make a strong case for All-Star consideration, going 2 for 4 with two singles.

What’s next

The Marlins will look to earn the series win as they wrap up their three-game set against the Rays on Sunday at loanDepot park.

First pitch is scheduled for 1:40 p.m.

Miami is expected to send Sandy Alcantara to the mound against Tampa Bay right-hander Griffin Jax.

Alcantara is one of the last pitchers standing from the Marlins’ Opening Day rotation, entering Sunday with a 4-4 record and 4.59 ERA this season.