Cody Poteet won his major league debut, Jesús Aguilar homered for a third straight game and the Miami Marlins beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 3-2 on Wednesday night.
The 26-year-old Poteet (1-0) gave up a run in the first inning and a solo homer in the fifth but was otherwise solid. He lasted five innings and the right-hander allowed just four hits, struck out six and didn't walk anyone.
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Cody Poteet won his major league debut, Jesús Aguilar homered for a third straight game and the Miami Marlins beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 3-2 on Wednesday night.
Aguilar was an All-Star in 2018 when he hit a career-high 35 homers, but struggled in 2019. He bounced back with eight homers in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season and already has nine long balls through 34 games this year. His 31 RBIs lead the National League.
The Marlins wrapped up the game with four scoreless innings from their bullpen that included stints from Richard Bleier, Anthony Bass and Dylan Floro.
MAKE THEM COUNT
TRAINER'S ROOM
Aguilar pushed the Marlins to a 2-0 lead in the first when he turned on Matt Peacock's 93 mph fastball and launched the ball down the left-field line. It clanged off the foul pole about two-thirds of the way up.
Miami Marlins' Jesus Aguilar points to the sky as he arrives at home plate after hitting a two-run home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 12, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP PhotoRoss D. Franklin)
Aguilar was an All-Star in 2018 when he hit a career-high 35 homers, but struggled in 2019. He bounced back with eight homers in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season and already has nine long balls through 34 games this year. His 31 RBIs lead the National League.
Miami's Adam Duvall and Jon Berti both had two hits. Sandy Leon hit a solo homer in the second.
Peacock (1-1) took the loss after giving up three runs, two earned, over five innings. It was the right-hander's first career start, which was needed because scheduled starter Zac Gallen was placed on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday.
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Matt Peacock throws against the Miami Marlins during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 12, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP PhotoRoss D. Franklin)
The Marlins wrapped up the game with four scoreless innings from their bullpen that included stints from Richard Bleier, Anthony Bass and Dylan Floro.
Yimi García pitched the ninth for his sixth save. For the final two outs, Aguilar made a leaping catch of Eduardo Escobar's line drive and stepped on first to double off Tim Locastro.
Poteet was the sixth Marlins player to make his major league debut this season.
Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Eduardo Escobar, back, misses the ball as Miami Marlins' Magneuris Sierra, front, slides safely into third base, advancing on a fly ball, during the seventh inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 12, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP PhotoRoss D. Franklin)
MAKE THEM COUNT
Arizona's Andrew Young has four hits this season and all of them are homers. His solo shot as a pinch-hitter in the fifth inning Wednesday cut the Marlins' lead to 3-2.
There are only five players since 1974 who have matched that feat to start a season. The only one to beat it is Rob Deer, who had five homers for his first five hits while playing for the Tigers in 1992.
Arizona Diamondbacks' Josh Rojas pumps his fist as he scores a run against the Miami Marlins during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 12, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP PhotoRoss D. Franklin)
TRAINER'S ROOM
Marlins: 2B Isan Díaz was taken out of the game “as a precaution because he was feeling unwell and fatigued.” The team added that Díaz was cleared by a physician after he left the game.
Diamondbacks: Put 1B Christian Walker (sore oblique) and Gallen (strained elbow) on the 10-day injured list. Arizona called up RHP Seth Frankoff and Young to take their places on the active roster.
Miami Marlins' Sandy Leon points to the sky as he arrives at home plate after hitting a home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the second inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 12, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP PhotoRoss D. Franklin)
UP NEXT
The teams wrap up their four-game series Thursday. The Diamondbacks will send RHP Merrill Kelly (2-3, 5.40 ERA) to the mound vs. LHP Trevor Rogers (4-2, 1.89).
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