The Miami Marlins’ road slump continues as left fielder Herbierto Hernandez commits an unofficial error, directly impacting the team’s 1-0 loss to the Cincinnati Reds on Friday.
Sandy Alcantara hadn’t given up a run through the first five innings. Left fielder JJ Bleday singled in the bottom of the sixth, then two-time All-Star and designated hitter Eugenio Suarez doubled to drive him home, and scored the Reds’ lone run. The Marlins could’ve prevented it and gotten out of the inning cleanly, but Hernandez miscalculated his dive for the baseball, and it got past him long enough to give up an advantage.
The Marlins had a chance to respond, as shortstop and All-Star Otto Lopez singled to start the seventh inning and stole second. However, Chase Burns struck out designated hitter Griffin Conine and Hernandez, then third baseman Javier Sanoja grounded out.
Alcantara was charged with the loss (13-7), which snapped his three-game win streak. In seven innings, he allowed three hits and an earned run, walked four batters, and struck out two.
Meanwhile, the Marlins’ lineup struggled to produce consistent offense – starters combined for four hits in 27 at-bats. No baserunners reached third base. The only Marlins to record a base hit were second baseman Xavier Edwards, Lopez, Hernandez, and first baseman Graham Pauley.
Despite two-time All-Star shortstop and leadoff hitter Elly De La Cruz going hitless in three at-bats, the next six batters in the Reds’ lineup logged one base hit.
Conine had shown off tons of power in the previous four games, when Kyle Stowers went down. He slugged three home runs against the Los Angeles Angels and Pittsburgh Pirates. Conine, who batted fourth in Friday’s lineup, went hitless in three at-bats and struck out twice.
Catcher Joe Mack has been in a slump since the New York Mets series at Citi Field. He’s batted .111 with a .349 OPS, including two hits in 21 at-bats, and two runs batted in from the previous seven games. Mack has gone hitless in six of his last eight games, including Friday against the Reds.
The Marlins revert to a game over .500 (62-61) and fall three games behind the Philadelphia Phillies for the last Wild Card spot in the National League. With 39 games left on the regular season schedule and the next five on the road, opportunities are slipping away. The Marlins will have an opportunity to return to the win column against the Reds on Saturday.
Manager Clayton McCullough will have a fresh bullpen, as Ryan Gusto is projected to start.