Dateline: Browns Chapel Field
The Marlins took the field this afternoon on a hot muggy day for the first day game of the season. Andrew took the mound and quickly shut down the Red Sox. The Marlins jumped to an early lead with two quick runs scored by Dave and Michael on some walks and wild pitches. It was a sign of what was to come.
Andrew continued his great day on the mound with a couple of quick strikeouts, three walks loaded the bases with two outs. With their leadoff man at the plate a towering popup was hit to the pitchers mound. Andrew camped under it and made the play to end the inning. In the bottom of the second, Peyton scored after a leadoff walk and the Marlins led 3-0.
Michael took the mound for the first time this season and struck out two batters. Sadly, the Red Sox were not swinging much and they luckily scored four runs on a series of walks and wild pitches. It was a nice opening day for Michael as he showed quite a bit of endurance after catching the first two innings in the heat and then took the mound. With injuries to Mitchell and Kevin on the bench for disciplinary reasons, Coach Grossman was extremely happy that Michael could take the mound in the heat. After the top of the third, the Red Sox led 4-3 and the Marlins fans were engaged in their first nail-biter of the season.
The Marlins struck back in the bottom of the third when Andrew hit a towering shot to center field for a clean in-the-park home run! The score was tied. The Red Sox pitcher was clearly rattled and the Marlins scored three more by Hayden, Austin, and Peyton on several walks with four runs scored. After three, the Marlins led 7-4.
Peyton took the mound in the top of the fourth and threw several nice pitches despite the heat. However, the Red Sox just would not go away and took the lead with four runs to make it a thrilling 8-7.
The Marlins showed no fear as they came up to bat in the 4th. With closer Dave warming up in the bullpen, all looked well for the final innings. The Marlins quickly scored four more and the game was ended due to time at 11-8.
Coach Grossman said “That was a great win for this team because we were really short on players. With Mitchell recently on the disabled list, and us unable to play Kevin we didn’t know if we’d have anyone left on the field. I think our guys showed great resilience in the heat — I especially liked how calm the team was in the dugout and how well they paid attention in the field. Teams will start hitting the ball more in the coming weeks so the number of walks is going to decrease. Special thanks to our great fans for cheering despite the heat and the myriad of walks. Also, the assistant coaches deserve lots of credit as they have done quite a bit of work with our pitchers and catchers.
Coach Goldstein said “It was a great game. I hope everyone plays as well for me on Monday as they did this game.”
This reporter notes that Coach Goldstein will run the team at the game on Monday as Coach Grossman has been called away to scout young players for next Spring’s draft. He will be at an undisclosed location.
Remember, game on Monday at 6:00 at Fox Mill District Park. Arriving as close as possible to 5:00 will make warmups MUCH easier –just like they were at the game we have just described.
