Jesus Luzardo steady, but Miami Marlins lose to Los Angeles Angels and fall to 0-6
Another day, another loss for the Miami Marlins to begin the season.
After a 3-1 loss to the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday, the Marlins are now 0-6, extending the longest streak without a win to begin a season in franchise history. Prior to this season, the Marlins never started a season worse than 0-4.
After being shut out through the first eight innings, Bryan De La Cruz scored Miami’s lone run with a one-out solo home run in the ninth inning against Luis Garcia. Jazz Chisholm Jr. then followed with a walk to bring the game-tying run to the plate.
But Tim Anderson, who had two hits Tuesday, grounded out and Jesus Sanchez (pinch-hitting for Avisail Garcia) struck out to seal Miami’s sixth consecutive defeat.
Starting pitcher Jesus Luzardo held the Angels (3-2) to three runs on four hits and two walks while striking out five over 5 1/3 innings.
After facing the minimum through three innings, he gave up a solo home run to Aaron Hicks in the fourth on an elevated sinker. Hicks then chased Luzardo with a one-out RBI single in the sixth that scored Zach Neto, who led off the frame with a double. Hicks scored two at-bats later on a Taylor Ward RBI single against Bryan Hoeing to close Luzardo’s line.
But that was more than enough for the Angels, who received a gem from starter Tyler Anderson. The 34-year-old lefty held Miami to four hits and two walks over seven shutout innings before turning the game over to the bullpen. Matt Moore pitched a perfect
The Marlins cap their first homestand of the season at 1:10 p.m. Wednesday when they wrap up their three-game series with the Angels. Lefty A.J. Puk will be on the mound for Miami opposite the Angels’ Patrick Sandoval.
Miami Marlins make a trade
Prior to Tuesday’s game, the Marlins acquired infielder Emmanuel Rivera from the Arizona Diamondbacks for cash. Rivera had been designated for assignment by Arizona on Thursday.
Shortstop prospect Jacob Amaya, Miami’s ninth-ranked prospect according to MLB Pipeline, was designated for assignment to make room for Rivera on the 40-man roster. Rivera had not yet reported to the club by game time Tuesday and will likely be with them Wednesday.
Rivera, 27, is a career .247 hitter with a .684 on-base-plus-slugging mark, 17 home runs, 74 RBI and 91 runs scored in 217 MLB games over parts of three seasons with the Kansas City Royals (2021-22) and Diamondbacks (2022-23).
Marlins manager Skip Schumaker said Rivera will primarily hit against lefties and play a utility role. Rivera has almost exclusively played third base in the big leagues (160 starts) but has some experience at first base (18 appearances, nine starts).
This opens the door for him to play the hot corner on days when Jake Burger is either at first base or is the designated hitter.
