Miami Marlins lose to Cincinnati Reds 5-6 in close game at Great American ballpark - MLB Update
Closer Heath Bell cost the Miami Marlins a 5-6 defeat against Cincinnati Reds on April 8, 2012 at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, Ohio during their regular season clash as he gives up a homer at a time when anything less than this will have kept
the lead intact.
Just when Marlins have started seeing their offence build some confidence, the pitchers have taken a back seat. While largely dominant in the game, Marlins sputtered in nine and allowed two runs. Until the eighth, they had a one run lead.
Carlos Zambrano, starting for Miami, pitched six innings and conceded four runs including a homer.
Realising the importance of this season for him after initiating a decline last year, he is h**l-bent to re-iterate his credentials. So far it has not come about.
Marlins' manager Ozzie Guillen is desperately looking forward to a performance commendable enough to be justifying his career ERA of 3.60.
In terms of hits, the game saw 11 by the Marlins, a number vastly improved from their first two games. While none of their hitters struck more than two hits, it was like "bit of everyone" kind of performance from the offence.
Jose Reyes faced five at-bats and hit once as centre fielder Emilio Bonifacio made two hits in five at-bats.
Third baseman, Hanley Ramirez added one run and one hit, his inability to cover the grounder by Scott Rolen in nine helped the Marlins to a loss.
Defeat has not demoralised Marlins even an inch as their manager believed that they played to their best and if they keep doing the same, wins will start coming eventually.
"It was tough luck," Guillen said. "We did everything we needed to do to win the game. If we play like that with fire and enthusiasm, we are going to win a lot of games."
In tight game, the way Reds turned the table on opponent reflects a potential performance they can put up in the season.
Apart from their starter, rest of their pitchers did stupendously well. The most they owe their victory to is however their offence, which brought eight valuable hits and six RBIs.
Regardless of the outcome, it was an improved show by the Marlins. Victories are not far if they keep digging like this in the matches to come.
Tags: