Marlins shut out D-backs behind 5 relievers

MIAMI -- If the Marlins decide to use a bullpen game the next time this turn in the rotation comes up, the framework they laid Wednesday provided a convincing case.

Five relievers combined on a shutout, while Adam Duvall snapped an 18-game homerless drought in an 8-0 victory over the D-backs at loanDepot park. Miami has won two games in a row for the first time since April 16-17.

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The Marlins elected to give Pablo López an extra day of rest as part of the organization's long-term plan to monitor its young starting pitchers’ workload in a full 162-game season. With Elieser Hernandez and Sixto Sánchez rehabbing injuries and Paul Campbell suspended for 80 games, veteran lefty Ross Detwiler was the opener for the second time this season.

Manager Don Mattingly noted before the game that his club has the luxury of multiple relievers capable of pitching one-plus innings.

“I don't think there's any real true plan to do this, but I think it makes sense on days like today,” Mattingly said. “We know we've got a couple of guys that have got some pitches under their belt. It just makes a little sense on this day for now without anybody really built up, didn't want to have to make a move or any of that. At some point, we're going to get Elieser, we're going to get Sixto.”

The club will also need a starter on Saturday against the Brewers. Righty Nick Neidert (No. 10 prospect) and rookie southpaw Daniel Castano, both of whom are with Triple-A Jacksonville, have started three games apiece for the Marlins this season.

On Wednesday, Detwiler retired all six batters he faced before No. 22 prospect Jordan Holloway followed with three scoreless innings to pick up his first Major League victory. John Curtiss held the D-backs off the board in the sixth and seventh, and Anthony Bender, making his MLB debut, pitched the eighth. Rule 5 Draft pick Zach Pop closed things out in the ninth.

“I think in a game like this, we're all going to be ready whenever possible,” Holloway said. “Kind of a different situation when we have a bullpen guy starting, so we're all getting ready and prepared all game -- I don't necessarily know when we're going to go in. But I think we all kind of understand that there's a chance for all of us to potentially pitch that night.”

Here is a look at how all five relievers fared:

1. LHP Ross Detwiler
Line: 2 IP, 3 K (23 pitches, 18 strikes)
Usage: 39% four-seamer, 26% cutter, 17% sinker, 13% curveball, 4% changeup
Of note: Struck out the side in the first

2. RHP Jordan Holloway
Line: 3 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 3 K (61 pitches, 36 strikes)
Usage: 48% slider, 43% four-seamer, 10% knuckle curve
Of note: Longest outing of his career in his sixth appearance

3. RHP John Curtiss
Line: 2 IP, 2 H, 3 K (27 pitches, 20 strikes)
Usage: 59% four-seamer, 41% slider
Of note: Was the opener three times for the Rays in 2020

4. RHP Anthony Bender
Line: 1 IP, 1 H, 2 K (21 pitches, 16 strikes)
Usage: 47.6% sinker, 47.6% slider, 4.8% four-seamer
Of note: Game-high 98.8 mph velocity; Major League debut

5. RHP Zach Pop
Line: 1 IP, 1 BB (18 pitches, nine strikes)
Usage: 56% slider, 33% sinker, 11% four-seamer
Of note: First career game finished

Shortstop Miguel Rojas, who went 2-for-3 with three runs scored and two RBIs, called a bullpen game a tough challenge for an opposing lineup. That is especially true against Miami’s relief corps, which has a combined 2.19 ERA (16 runs in 65 2/3 innings) over its last 17 games. That mark is the lowest in the National League since April 16.

“It's different, and you know you're not going to have an opportunity to face the same guy a couple times,” Rojas said. “So as a hitter, you always prepare for a guy, you know you're going to have your shots, and maybe if he got you out with something early in the game, you're going to start looking for that pitch and making an adjustment.

“But when you're facing a bullpen day, it's like Spring Training. It's really hard to hit in Spring Training -- not just because you face guys that you don't really know. That's when preparation comes into play. Those days are going to be really tough, and especially with our bullpen. They've been throwing the ball really well; it doesn't matter who it is. Kudos to them today for throwing zeros after zeros, and just trusting the defense that we're going to be behind them.”