'We have a job to do': Marlins show fight in split with Mets

MIAMI -- If the first series following the All-Star break is any indication, the Marlins won’t go down without a fight.

Trailing by three with one out in the ninth against Mets closer Edwin Díaz, the Marlins would eventually put the tying runs into scoring position. But Jake Burger popped out to second to conclude Monday night’s 6-4 loss at loanDepot park, where Miami settled for a four-game series split with contending New York.

“We talked before the first game that we want to compete as hard as we can every single day to the last out and not give in, not trying to get through a season, not trying to get through a series,” manager Skip Schumaker said. “We have a job to do. This is the big leagues, and we're going to try to win every single game that we play, and they proved that this series against a team that is trying to get into the playoffs, a veteran team with some All-Stars and some really good players. We were in every single game, and so I'm proud of that.”

Here are two observations from this series:

Start me up
Right-hander Yonny Chirinos went five innings, allowing five runs on nine hits with four walks, a run-scoring hit-by-pitch and four strikeouts. After surrendering three homers to the Reds in his last start on July 12, he permitted a two-run tater to Jeff McNeil and a solo shot to Francisco Lindor.

“I just think those are things that happen,” Chirinos said via interpreter Will Nadal. “I think it's something that you never want to give up walks when you're out there, and I think it's something I haven't pinpointed it exactly. But it's just about making those adjustments start to start, and I think I'll be able to do that.”

A Marlins starter hasn’t collected the win since Jesús Luzardo did so against the Mets on June 11. While pitcher victories don’t usually tell the whole story, going deep into games usually presents not only the starter, but also his club with a good chance to win.

Chirinos and Roddery Muñoz completed five innings, while Edward Cabrera and Trevor Rogers were unable to. As of Monday night, the Marlins had yet to announce a starter for Tuesday’s series opener against the Orioles.

“At times our starting pitching was great, but I think overall, the starting pitching has to get a little bit deeper so we don't just keep abusing these [bullpen] guys,” Schumaker said.

Musical chairs
Miami wants to see how guys might fit into the club’s future, beginning with its positions on defense.

Schumaker got creative throughout Monday’s series finale. Otto Lopez started in left field for the first time in his big league career, which moved Bryan De La Cruz to right. Jazz Chisholm Jr. started at second base for the second time this season, keeping Vidal Bruján in center field for the second consecutive game. Xavier Edwards, who had started every game at shortstop since Tim Anderson’s designation until Sunday, was back there on Monday.

When New York turned to right-handed reliever José Buttó in the sixth, left-handed-hitting Jesús Sánchez pinch-hit for right-handed-hitting Emmanuel Rivera. He would remain in the game in right, pushing De La Cruz to left and Lopez to center for the first time in the Majors since 2022. Bruján took over at the hot corner.

“I think we have some guys that can play multiple positions, and I think if you have more guys on your team that can play multiple positions and do it well, it just gives more flexibility for me and for our staff in case there's pinch-hit opportunities or guys need days off and that type of thing,” Schumaker said pregame. “We're in a position where we're trying to find out what guys can do but also try to win games. So I think the combination of seeing if Otto can play outfield plus try to win a game gives us his bat in the lineup.”

The 25-year-old Lopez sees the benefit of versatility. While his metrics at second base are among the best in the Majors, his ability to play shortstop like he did on Sunday and outfield spots on Monday make him valuable.

Predominantly a middle infielder in his professional career, Lopez also has seen a double-digit number of games in the outfield in the Minors. On Monday, he put in extra work to be prepared.

“To be able to play different positions, it's something that everybody needs on their team,” Lopez said. “I feel pretty good that I put work in different positions and I try to be good at everything.”