Marlins New Manager Still Searching For First Win
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MIAMI (CBSMiami/AP) – The Dan Jennings era isn't off to a promising start in South Florida.
While it's only been two games, the Miami Marlins haven't shown any signs that things are different under their new manager.
Miami's offensive malaise has continued under the suit-turned-skipper, and Jennings may have been tactically outmaneuvered in his second loss as manager.
The Marlins will try to turn things around and avoid a season-worst sixth straight loss Wednesday night against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks.
Miami (16-24) started Jennings' tenure with a 3-2, 13-inning loss Monday, though the former general manager said there was "a lot of good to take away" despite his last 22 batters going hitless. Another comment by Jennings regarding how quickly the game seemed to move from the dugout proved prophetic a day later.
Jennings committed perhaps his first significant strategic mistake in Tuesday's 4-2 loss to Arizona, leaving left-handed reliever Mike Dunn in to face right-handed pinch-hitter A.J. Pollock, who took him deep for a go-ahead two-run homer in the eighth inning. Pollock came in hitting .355 against left-handers.
"I went with the gut feeling and the gut feeling did not work," Jennings said.
The Marlins have also dropped six straight at home, where they haven't lost seven in a row since Aug. 4-10, 2011.
Meanwhile, the Diamondbacks (17-21) are aiming for a third straight road victory for the first time since June 15-28. Three of Pollock's four home runs have come in his last 10 games.
They'll try to help Chase Anderson (0-1, 2.81 ERA) snap an eight-start winless stretch dating to last season, though he's been mostly reliable this year. He has yielded two runs in 18 1-3 innings this month, but his 2.16 run-support average this season is the second-lowest in baseball ahead of only the Los Angeles Angels' Jered Weaver (2.13).
"He gives us a chance to win every time out," manager Chip Hale said. "He mixes his pitches well, has a very good change and he just pitches."
Anderson was 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA in two starts versus Miami last season. Marcell Ozuna and Giancarlo Stanton were each 3 for 6 against him.
David Phelps (2-0, 2.68) has posted a 1.75 ERA in six games since joining the Marlins rotation, recording five straight quality starts and still not allowing a home run in 37 innings on the year. He matched a career best with eight strikeouts and gave up three runs - one earned - in six innings of a 5-3 loss to Atlanta on Friday.
Phelps also had his first career hit but was backed by two runs, the fourth straight time he received three or fewer.
"It would have been nice if (the hit) came in one of the games where we won, it would have been more exciting," he told MLB's official website.
Baltimore's Wei-Yin Chen is the only pitcher with a lower ERA and fewer than three wins in at least six starts.
Phelps lost his only appearance versus Arizona, giving up three earned runs over two innings of relief in a 6-2, 12-inning defeat with the New York Yankees on April 18, 2013.
Stanton hit his 12th homer of the season and fifth in seven games Tuesday, a span in which he has nine RBIs. His 38 on the season are tied with Bryce Harper for the major league lead.
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