Washington Nationals win 3-2 against Miami Marlins in 2012 Grapefruit League clash - MLB Update
Starter Josh Johnson gives up six hits as Miami Marlins face 2-3 defeat against Washington Nationals at Space Coast Stadium in Melbourne, Florida on March 30, 2012 in their Grapefruit League outing.
While living up to his 667 career strike-outs, Johnson struck-out nine. His career ERA of 2.98 did not however reflect in the game as he was drawn three earned runs including a homer. He walked one in little more than five innings he pitched.
Relievers following him did relatively better job as they did not give up any run.
All through Spring Training, Marlins have been relying heavily on their starters with batters contributing meagre. Just one bad day from their starter has cost them defeat and as by no means this is a great sign before the start of season, Marlins cannot
afford dormancy of Jose Reyes and Hanley Ramirez any longer.
Reyes experienced five at-bats and hit one on which he added one RBI. Whereas, Ramirez made one dead rubber hit on three at-bats.
In a sharp contrast to Marlins’ shortstop, Nationals' Ian Desmond lifted his side immensely with a homer to Johnson. Desmond while facing four at-bats hit twice and brought one RBI.
Their Infielder Mark DeRosa though managed two hits on two of his at-bats, did not cause any activity on base.
As regard to Nationals’ starter, Ross Detwiler, who went through his first Spring Training outing, Marlins will be disappointed as to why they did not score much off him. For Marlins not being able to draw runs from a naive DetWiler, facing Gio Gonzalez
and Stephen Strasburg, Nationals’ aces, will be even tougher for them.
Detwiler threw five innings and struck-out five on three hits he allowed one run.
While he stood a winner for Washington, closer Henry Rodriguez was equally responsible in their victory. As he pitched scoreless inning at a time when with just one run Marlins will be tying, he was rightly accorded a save at the end of the game as he struck-out
two.
With every game Marlins offense’ frailties are surfacing and sooner they get over this, better will be for them. Any lassitude shown on this front will cost in many ways during the season.
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