In throwback teal, Rogers points to future 

MIAMI -- On a night when the Marlins connected with their past, one of their building block starting pitchers took a step forward.

Trevor Rogers was on point in six-plus innings Friday, striking out seven while allowing one run in the Marlins’ 5-1 win over the D-backs at loanDepot park.

In his third start, Rogers picked up his first win. More importantly in terms of his progression, the 25-year-old left-hander made it into the seventh inning before exiting after issuing back-to-back singles to Evan Longoria and Corbin Carroll.

“It just shows you what he can do when he competes in the zone,” Marlins manager Skip Schumaker said. “We talked about that before the game. We talked about that the whole offseason. We talked about that in Spring Training. He was the guy I was the most excited to watch, because I thought he was going to have this comeback type of season. That’s the start we think he’s going to continue to have.”

Rogers worked 4 2/3 innings in his previous start, a loss at the Mets, when he issued three earned runs.

The strong pitching performance by Rogers led the Marlins to their third straight win, and the club crawled back to .500 (7-7).

"Just kept us off balance,” D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said of Rogers. “There was a lot of swing and miss. ... I thought there was some deception there. He had a good outing.”

Miami’s “compete in the zone” mantra is starting to sink in with Rogers.

“I know I have good stuff,” Rogers said. “If I’m not in the zone, it’s not going to play. I think you can say that with every pitcher. But I think just the trust factor is probably the biggest thing for me.”

The 2023 season is a benchmark one for the Marlins, who are celebrating their 30th anniversary.

In a ribbon-cutting ceremony pregame, the organization introduced the Marlins Museum behind Section 29.

Taking part in the occasion was Charlie Hough, who pitched Opening Day in the then-Florida Marlins’ 1993 inaugural season.

“I love that old uniform,” Hough said. “It made me look young.”

As part of their “Flashback Friday” promotion, the Marlins wore throwback teal uniforms and helmets.

Hough, who works in player development with the Dodgers, still holds a special place in his heart for the Marlins. He and special adviser Jeff Conine took part in the museum celebration.

“I think it’s great for baseball,” Hough said. “I still work for the Dodgers. Basically, I love baseball. I think everybody involved in it wants every team to do well. We want to beat them when we play them on the field. ... It’s a thrill for me to be back and see what they’re trying to do.”

For a young player like Rogers, there’s some nostalgia in wearing the old Marlins’ teal, and in seeing the franchise’s historical players like Hough.

“I really love it,” Rogers said. “It’s the 30th anniversary. Having guys coming back. Seeing Conine around. Seeing Charlie. It’s really cool.”

The teal also has special meaning for Rogers, because his cousin, former Marlins outfielder Cody Ross, had teal in his uniform when he played for the organization.

“Finally getting to wear the teal on my start day dates back to watching my cousin growing up, wearing the teal,” Rogers said. “It’s kind of a full-circle moment.”

When the Marlins wore the teal for the first time during their first homestand, Rogers’ mother hounded him to get pictures of him pitching in those throwback uniforms.

“'Be patient,'” Roger told his mom. “'I’m sure it will happen.' I’m going to be sending her quite a few pictures.”

In a matchup of southpaws, Rogers went up against Arizona’s Madison Bumgarner.

The Marlins finally broke through with a five-run fourth inning off the veteran lefty, with four straight two-out hits. Jacob Stallings opened the scoring with an RBI single, followed by Garrett Hampson’s run-scoring double. Jon Berti had a two-run double, and Garrett Cooper lined a single to center.

Boosted by the one big inning, Rogers did the rest.

“Really trusting my stuff, and knowing how good it plays in the zone, and being confident to put it in the zone consistently,” Rogers said. “I think that was huge for me tonight and going forward.”