Miami Marlins face 2-4 defeat against St. Louis Cardinals in Grapefruit League - MLB Update
Despite an extremely impressive performance by Carlos Zambrano, Miami Marlins remain short of St. Louis Cardinals’ two runs lead as they lost 2-4 at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Florida in their Grapefruit League contest on March 18, 2012.
Marlins were well on their way toward a victory before a late upsurge by Cardinals in the eighth.
It was a three run homer by Cardinals designated hitter, David Freese that buried Marlins hopes for a win.
Part of a reason why Cardinals were able to turn things around in just one inning was an easily assailable lead Marlins maintained throughout the game.
Jose Reyes, recently added shortstop to the side continued his below par performance in Spring Training and he remained hitless in three at-bats he faced in the start.
Centre-fielder, Emilio Bonifacio also connected just one hit in four at bats. Similarly third baseman, Hanley Ramirez did not strike a single hit in three at-bats.
As for pitchers, Marlins can take a lot of positives in seeing their ace Zambrano nearing his best in the game. He alone grabbed seven strike-outs in four innings, taking his Spring Training tally to 16 strike-outs.
"I guess I went back to being a strike out pitcher," Zambrano said. "Everything is there. I'm throwing the ball where I want to."
Although he was hit four times and conceded one earned run, his control on the game amidst the presence of runners on bases was commendable.
"Carlos threw the ball better today," said manager Ozzie Guillen. "When he got people on base he handled himself a lot better. If this kid can control that, he's going to have a chance to be what he was."
Cardinals’ starter, Adam Wainwright, pitched a tight spell of four innings and it was because of him that Marlins will not score freely in their initial innings.
Designated hitter, David Freese, was a stand-out batter from Cardinals' as he scored a run and contributed three RBIs in four at bats.
So far Marlins are having a tremendous time at Spring Training with seven victories out of 13 games they have played. This loss is going to push them back a little and therefore only thing they will be looking forward to in their forthcoming games is that
their momentum stays afloat.
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