Edward Cabrera shines with 7 Ks in his return, but the Marlins' offense stalls in a 5-3 loss to the Nationals on June 13. Read how the ace's return wasn't enough.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a classic 'good news, bad news' night for the Miami Marlins in the nation's capital. The great news? Edward Cabrera is back, and he looked every bit the ace, fanning seven Nationals in his return from the injured list. The bad news? It wasn't enough, as the Marlins' bats couldn't provide the necessary support, leading to a 5-3 series-opening loss.
Edward looked sharp and gave us a chance. We just couldn't get the big hit when we needed it.
All eyes were on Edward Cabrera, and he did not disappoint. Over six innings, the hard-throwing righty showed the stuff that makes him a cornerstone of the rotation. His fastball sizzled, averaging 97 mph, and he generated 14 swinging strikes on his way to seven strikeouts. While he was tagged for four runs (three earned), including a two-run homer by CJ Abrams, it was an incredibly encouraging outing for a pitcher making his first start off the IL. It's the kind of performance that gives the team a real shot to win every fifth day.
While Cabrera kept the Marlins in the game, the offense struggled to deliver a knockout blow. The bright spots were few but notable. Jazz Chisholm Jr. continued his power surge with a solo home run in the fifth, and Bryan De La Cruz was a machine at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a double. Despite these efforts, the team couldn't string together the key hits needed to overcome the deficit. As Manager Skip Schumaker noted, the opportunities were there, but the execution was not.
For fans tired of seeing the big-league club struggle, positive news is brewing down on the farm. Outfielder Jesús Sánchez, infielder Connor Norby, and reliever Declan Cronin all completed successful rehab appearances for Triple-A Jacksonville. With at least one player expected to be activated before the next series, the Marlins could soon get a much-needed boost in talent and depth. Norby's double and Sánchez's walk show they're seeing the ball well, a welcome sign for a lineup in need of a spark.
Speaking of the farm, the Marlins' minor league system is making a name for itself. The organization now leads all of Major League Baseball with a combined 139 stolen bases, showcasing an aggressive, athletic brand of baseball. The success isn't just on the basepaths; the Triple-A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp extended their winning streak to an incredible eight games with a walk-off win, while Double-A Pensacola's Kemp Alderman and Joe Mack continue to rank among the Southern League's best hitters. The talent pipeline is flowing, and it's providing a lot of excitement for the future.
Friday's loss drops the Marlins to 25-42, a record no one is happy with. But baseball is a game of narratives, and tonight's story wasn't just about the final score. It was about the return of a potential ace, the imminent arrival of reinforcements, and a farm system buzzing with talent. The challenge now is to turn those individual bright spots into consistent team wins, a task that begins again tomorrow against the Nationals.
