The Miami Marlins inched closer to the regular season on Thursday with a 3-1 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals. The Marlins will take on those same Cardinals in less than a week at Marlins Park. Anibal Sanchez put together a great effort while being credited with a no decision in the game. After starting the Spring late, Sanchez looks to be completely prepared for the regular season.
In five innings of work, Sanchez gave up one run, and two hits while walking one and striking out four. The right-hander has one more start left in the Spring and he should be able to work around seven innings in that game if he pitches efficiently. Chad Gaudin who has become a possible bullpen option went three shutout innings and earned the win. It was Gaudin’s second win of the Spring after entering camp as a non-roster invitee. The last spot in the bullpen will likely come down to Gaudin and Wade LeBlanc. Ryan Webb worked a perfect ninth inning for his first save of the Spring.
Before the game the Marlins released Aaron Rowand and sent Bryan Petersen to AAA which opened up some spots in the lineup for minor league camp members. Isaac Galloway and Christian Yelich started and went a combined 0-6. Daniel Pertusati also visited from minor league camp and hit a homerun as a pinch hitter. With the moves on Thursday, Austin Kearns and Chris Coghlan have all but locked up their roster spots. Kearns went 0-4 with two strikeouts while Coghlan was 1-4 with a run scored.
On Friday the Marlins will face the Washington Nationals. Making his final Spring start will be Josh Johnson, and going for the Nationals will be Ross Detwiler.
