The Miami Marlins, led by Giancarlo Stanton and an efficient lineup, defeated the San Diego Padres 8-2 on Friday night at Marlins Park. Starter Tom Koehler was solid and Brad Hand pitched three innings in relief.
For Miami Marlins' starter Tom Koehler, run support wasn't something he was familiar with a season ago. Koehler, who after a solid spring training earned the five spot in the rotation, was efficient in his 2014 debut, an 8-2 victory in game one of a three game series against the San Diego Padres.
Rarely last season did the Marlins have leads, let alone early leads. A Jeff Baker one out single in the first inning was followed by a 480 home run off the bat of Giancarlo Stanton which gave Miami an early 2-0 advantage. The long ball was Stanton's second of the young season and was deemed the longest home run in the brief history of Marlins Park.
Koehler had command of all of his pitches early, and despite a two run fifth inning for the Padres, had an efficient night. Koehler lasted six innings, giving up seven hits and a pair of runs while walking and striking out a batter.
Miami's offense consistently made quality contact against Padres starter Jordan Stults. The third lefty the Marlins faced over a span of five days, Stults lasted just four innings after yielding five earned runs to Miami's starting lineup.
Manager Mike Redmond placed shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria in the leadoff spot against the lefty, and he thrived. Hechavarria put together four consecutive hits, and Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Garrett Jones both had multiple hits on the night.
Casey McGehee built on his success in the Colorado series, driving in a pair of runs.
Brad Hand pitched the final three innings for the Marlins, not allowing a run while walking three and striking out two. Two of those walks came in the ninth inning.
Source: FanGraphs
Attendance: 17,783
Hero of The Game: Giancarlo Stanton (.181 WPA)
Goat of The Game: Tom Koehler (-0.16 WPA)
Play of The Game: Giancarlo Stanton homered to left in the first inning. Jeff Baker scored. (.195 WPA)