Miami Marlins beat Washington Nationals 3-1 in 2012 Grapefruit League - MLB Update
Starter Gio Gonzalez goes through his worst 2012 Spring Training outing as Washington Nationals face 1-3 defeat against Miami Marlins in their Grapefruit League clash at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Florida on March 27, 2012.
After horrifying batters in last few games, Gonzalez never thought that he will be taken on so cheaply in very next game he is going to pitch in. As he was hit all over the park, it looked as if he will succumb to the pressure and will end up with a pathetic
performance.
However, just like any great pitcher he recovered immediately after one inning and got seven of the last eight batters he came across.
"He got five innings in, around 80 pitches, which was a perfect next-to-last start in spring. So I feel good about that, it was a good outing," said Washington manager Davey Johnson.
Marlins saw their shortstop, Jose Reyes, connecting two hits in four at-bats. Living up to his reputation of making runs off others’ hits, he completed his one run this way.
Right fielder, Austin Kearns, also made precious contribution for the Marlins. As he faced four at-bats, he made two hits that as a result gave way to two RBIs then.
Marlins’ starter Ricky Nolasco was spot on with his pitches. So accurate was he with his throws that he wrapped up the first inning in just four pitches. Later, in an attempt to make Nationals toil for runs, he drew four strike-outs and walked none.
However he was equally helped by fielders as he manipulated his throws in such a way that the batters will hit nowhere but straight to the fielders. He escaped easily even when he was hit nine times in the game.
"I was singled to death or whatever you want to call that, all of them bloopers but at the same time they hit some balls pretty good and right at guys and we made plays," Nolasco said.
By looking at the overall performance by the Marlins in Spring Training, one will realise that almost all wins they have recorded came off due largely in part of their pitchers.
Since, Marlins have scored just 61 runs, lower than that of even New York Mets 84 runs scored in Spring Training, currently a lowest side on the Grapefruit League Table, their reliance on pitchers in their victories is conspicuous.
The sooner hitters like Jose Reyes and third baseman Hanley Ramirez start performing up to their potential; the better it will be for the Marlins. With the 2012 Major League Baseball regular season around the corner, they simply cannot afford to expect too
much from their pitchers alone.
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