Lopez responds to worst outing with one of best

MIAMI -- In the span of eight days, Pablo López followed up his worst big league start with arguably his best. The 23-year-old showed the resolve to bounce back, and he sent a reminder that he can be a core part of the Marlins' rotation.

Lopez matched career highs for innings (seven) and strikeouts (seven) and chipped in with a single in the Marlins’ 2-0 win over the Mets on Saturday at Marlins Park.

Lopez, Tayron Guerrero and Adam Conley combined for the organization’s 19th one-hitter, with the last coming on May 7, 2017, at the Mets. Jose Urena, David Phelps, Nick Wittgren and AJ Ramos combined for that one.

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Saturday provided a glimpse of what Lopez can eventually become. The right-hander had struggled to work deep into games, yet he was able to make it nearly three full times through the Mets’ order. He finished with 92 pitches, including 11 swinging strikes.

“That was a great response,” Marlins manager Don Mattingly said. “You find out what a guy is made of, because he took a beating there in New York. Nothing went right. There was two ways to go. Either he was going to come out and pitch like he was afraid of those guys, or he was going to be aggressive.”

Saturday’s bounce back was a good sign for Lopez, who surrendered a career-high 10 runs on 10 hits in three innings against the Mets at Citi Field on May 10.

“Last outing was rough, and I had to wait for today, so I was a little anxious,” Lopez said. “I wanted to go out there and leave everything on the field for my team, just like they do. Just a matter of trying to be in control with yourself and try to execute every pitch with conviction.”

Jon Berti gave Lopez immediate run support with his leadoff, opposite-field home run off Steven Matz, who made it through just 3 2/3 innings. It was Miami’s first leadoff homer since Dee Gordon on July 26, 2017, at the Rangers. Berti walked and scored on Brian Anderson’s RBI single in the third inning, and that’s all the Marlins needed to secure a series win over their National League East rival.

The Marlins won their first series since taking two of three from the Nationals in Miami from April 19-21. And they recorded their second shutout victory.

Jeff McNeil led off the game with a double down the left-field line on Lopez’s first pitch. That was the lone New York hit.

“It was a good pitch, and he put a great swing on it,” Lopez said. “I tried to take a deep breath and settle down. I was like, 'I'm not going to let this run score. I'm going to try to throw every single pitch with everything I've got.'”

Per Statcast, Lopez threw 42 two-seam fastballs, with one having a maximum speed of 97.2 mph. And he effectively mixed in 28 changeups, getting five swinging strikes.

“I didn't get to face him last time, but you could just see he was throwing a little harder,” Mets third baseman Todd Frazier said. “He mixed his changeup in really well, and at the right times, too. You throw the heater with a little two-seam action and the changeup with two-seam action as well, it looked like a fastball. So we were out in front. We just couldn't put things together. Couldn't find a way. You tip your cap to him.”

Lopez was in trouble in the sixth inning when McNeil grinded out a 12-pitch walk, but two pitches later, Lopez induced Amed Rosario to hit into a 6-4-3 double play. Lopez pleaded his case to come out for the seventh, and his wish was granted.

“I felt I still had something in the tank,” Lopez said. “I told [Mattingly], 'I feel good.' I wanted this part of the order. I feel like I can make some good pitches, and get soft contact early. Just feeling good mentally. Go out there and empty the tank.”