2023-09-21 19:29:50
MIAMI – On September 5, the Marlins began a tough stretch of 16 consecutive games without a break that could end their destiny in the face of a possible postseason qualification.
During that period, the Venezuelan Luis Arráez (sprained left ankle) and Jake Burger (right quadriceps tightness) suffered injuries. Dominican ace Sandy Alcántara did not take the mound due to a ulnar collateral ligament sprain of the right elbow. Miami used a six-player rotation, including two openers, to ease the workload a bit.
And although the Marlins left a 9-7 record, placing in the middle of the Cubs game for the third wild card in the National League, Thursday’s day off comes at an opportune time.
Especially thinking about Dominican rookie Eury Pérez, who pitched just three innings on Wednesday, in which he allowed three runs (two earned) with three hits and three walks, in the eventual Marlins defeat 8-3 against the Mets.
“I was just trying to do more than I could, trying too hard,” Perez said. “I felt a little uncomfortable on the mound, to be honest, but I kept going. That’s what happened today.”
Miami temporarily stopped the 20-year-old Dominican before the All-Star Game so they could monitor his workload. Between Double-A and the majors, Pérez has pitched 128 innings this year – 45 more than he completed in 2022. And that may be affecting him now. Since he was promoted on August 7, the pitcher has had only two quality starts in eight opportunities.
On Wednesday, Pérez relied mainly on the fastball (61%) because he felt better grip and command than with his secondary pitches.
“I feel very good, but we also have to realize that it is the end of the season. This number of innings has been the most I have had in my career in one year,” said Pérez. “You can start to feel a little bit of that, because of the depth of the season.”
Of Pérez’s 69 pitches, 31 were in the third inning.
“I don’t think he was tired,” manager Skip Schumaker said. “I think his speed was good. The slider characteristics of him were there. I just think he was pulling out rivals like he usually does.”
After that episode, Schumaker did not want to force Pérez any further and decided to opt for the bullpen.
However, the outlook does not improve for Miami in the coming days, in which they will have to face the Brewers, leaders of the NL Central Divisionwho arrive at loanDepot park with their three main starters – Corbin Burnes (3.56 ERA), Brandon Woodruff (1.89 ERA) and the Dominican Freddy Peralta (3.71 ERA).
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