Bride a 'pleasant surprise' for the Marlins this year

WASHINGTON -- Since the end of July, Jonah Bride has been at the center of the Marlins’ offensive action, getting base hits, slugging and driving in runs.

After the Trade Deadline, Miami bumped Bride up to the top half of the order -- usually Nos. 3 or 4. Only once since July 31 has Bride hit below fifth in the lineup, and for good reason.

Bride showed off his steady production batting fifth on Sunday in Miami’s 4-3 series-finale loss to Washington at Nationals Park, going 2-for-4 with a home run for his second straight multihit game.

“He's been taking some good at-bats, taking his walks when needed,” manager Skip Schumaker said. “He's doing pretty much everything. ... When he gets a chance, he takes it. He does it with a home run or tries to slug. That's why he's in the middle of the order.

"Gosh, he's got close to an .800 OPS. He's been great, and he's a pleasant surprise to the season. That was another good game by him. Unfortunately, just another loss.”

Over the four-game series, Bride went 5-for-16 with three RBIs, continuing his hot streak in the final month of the season, his first with the Marlins since he was acquired back in February. So far in September, Bride has slashed .298/.364/.468 (an .832 OPS) with a pair of home runs.

In his first time to the plate on Sunday, Bride was called out on strikes. He reached first base in his next at-bat via an error from Nationals shortstop Nasim Nuñez.

The third time was the charm for Bride. Leading off the seventh inning, he was the first to face Nats reliever Eduardo Salazar. Bride had seen Salazar earlier in the month when the Nationals were in Miami, so he used his reservoir of knowledge to his advantage.

“He's throwing like a bowling-ball sinker, so it's moving a lot,” Bride said. “The approach was just trying to get under him, he left one up, and it worked out.”

Bride swung and connected, sending the ball a Statcast-projected 401 feet into the visitors' bullpen in left-center field. The homer cut the Nationals' lead to 3-2 to keep the Marlins in the fight.

Miami made one last effort in the ninth, trailing 4-2 after James Wood homered in the bottom of the eighth inning.

And, of course, it was Bride who started the rally with a single into center field. Otto Lopez followed suit with another single as Bride moved over to third. Pinch-hitter David Hensley grounded out, as Bride scored the Marlins' final run.

Bride has hit safely in his 12 of his past 15 games and is batting .308 over the past week.

“It's a hard game and every day is new,” Bride said. “You got to run with the highs and sink with the lows, and they're all going to happen. So just trying to stay in a good headspace and keep running.”

It's been a long season for Bride, who opened the season with the Marlins before being optioned to Triple-A Jacksonville on April 4. He was recalled and optioned once more before he was called up on July 4 for good. Over his 75 games with the Jumbo Shrimp, Bride slashed .267/.409/.454 with 11 homers.

Since transitioning into an everyday player at the Deadline, Bride has embraced the role -- and carried his production with him.

“I'm very thankful for the opportunity given by Skip, the coaching staff and all the front office as well,” Bride said. “I've had a blast out here with these guys and getting to know everybody and grinding every day."