Marlins at Rockies
The frustration surrounding the struggling Colorado Rockies has reached a fevered pitch, but Ryan McMahon appears completely at ease. The 24-year-old infielder has homered three times in his last four games for the Rockies, who continue their three-game series against the visiting Miami Marlins on Saturday.
McMahon belted a two-run shot in Friday’s 3-0 victory and Jon Gray tossed eight strong innings as Colorado recorded its sixth shutout of the season and won back-to-back games at Coors Field for the first time since June 28 and 29. McMahon is batting .287 with eight home runs and a team-high 25 RBIs since the All-Star break for a club that faded from postseason contention after going 6-19 in July. Miami entered the series on a high note after posting a 13-7 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday, but the team managed just six hits in Friday’s loss. Brian Anderson went 2-for-4 and is batting .387 with two homers and nine RBIs over his last eight games.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FS Florida (Miami), AT&T SportsNet-Rocky Mountain (Colorado)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Hector Noesi (0-2, 8.18 ERA) vs. Rockies RH German Marquez (11-5, 4.75)
Noesi has struggled in two starts since being promoted from Triple-A New Orleans on Aug. 6, allowing 10 runs and nine hits with an 11-to-6 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 11 innings. The 32-year-old Dominican earned the call-up after posting an 11-4 record and 3.82 ERA in 21 starts for the Baby Cakes. Noesi threw 108 pitches in Sunday’s 5-4 loss to Atlanta, giving up five runs and four hits over six frames.
Marquez turned in a strong outing in Sunday’s 8-3 win over San Diego, allowing three runs and five hits with nine strikeouts over eight innings. The 24-year-old Venezuelan is 3-0 with a 3.27 ERA and 35 strikeouts against four walks over his last five starts. Curtis Granderson is 4-for-7 with a home run against Marquez, who owns a 1-3 record and 5.49 ERA in four career starts versus Miami.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Marlins have given up at least one home run in 18 consecutive games, which is tied for the longest streak in club history.
2. Colorado OF Raimel Tapia went 0-for-4 on Friday, snapping his nine-game hitting streak.
3. Miami activated Neil Walker (finger) from the 10-day injured list and designated fellow INF Deven Marrero for assignment.