On Friday night it was a three-run eighth inning that proved to be the difference between the Colorado Rockies and Miami Marlins. On Saturday, Miami again put up three runs in one frame that ultimately decided the game. With the 4-3 victory, Miami grabbed the series win from the visiting Rockies.
Colorado and Miami traded runs in the first inning off starters Justin Nicolino (1-1, 4.56 ERA) and Jeff Hoffman (6-4, 5.15). Mark Reynolds singled in Charlie Blackmon after a leadoff single to give Colorado the early advantage. Giancarlo Staton would come around to score on a Marcell Ozuna ground out after doubling to deep right center.
Staton would again get the best of Hoffman in the bottom of the fourth when he hit his MLB-best 41st home run of the season – a three run shot to put Miami up 3-1.
Colorado answered with a run in the top of the fifth. Blackmon again led off with a single, the stole second and moved up to third on a throwing error. DJ LeMahieu drove him in with a sac fly.
Colorado’s bullpen held ground for the three innings they pitched. Chris Rusin allowed two hits over two scoreless innings, and Carlos Estevez gave up one hit in the eighth.
Nolan Arenado was ejected from the game for arguing with an umpire after striking out in the top of the seventh inning. The MLB RBI leader disagreed with a check swing call that ended the inning.
The Rockies scored another run in the eighth, but could not capitalize on getting a pair of runners on with only one out. Ryan McMahon flied out to center with two on and two out in his first Major League at-bat.
The Rockies were managed by bench coach Mike Redmond, as manger Bud Black was out with illness.
Colorado will try and salvage the final game of the series before returning home to Coors Field. German Marquez (9-4, 3.88) will try and right the ship for the Rockies, who have lost four of their last five games. Miami will send right-hander Vance Worley (2-2, 4.82 ERA) out to try and seal the sweep. First pitch is 11:10 a.m. MDT.