MIAMI -- Through three innings of Wednesday night’s 11-9 loss to the Braves, the original Jesús Luzardo -- as he put it -- was on the mound at loanDepot park.

But then came the fourth, when Luzardo was chased without recording an out. The first six batters reached on three straight hits followed by three consecutive walks, including two with the bases loaded.

“When I feel good, that's me,” Luzardo said. “The fourth inning was not me, so I just need to figure out a way to make it last the whole game.”

Despite the final line, manager Don Mattingly felt Luzardo pitched better than in his previous three starts in a Marlins uniform.

The inning began with a triple from Freddie Freeman -- who went on to hit for the cycle -- because of the way the Marlins shifted. The next hit was on a first-pitch fastball, and then a ball through the hole that could’ve been a double play. On a payoff pitch to Adam Duvall, ball four looked like it nicked the zone. Instead, it was a bases-loaded free pass.

“That inning just kind of got away and got fast, but for the most part tonight for me, it looked like the misses, there weren't as many just sprays way out of the zone,” Mattingly said. “He may not feel that way because of the result, but I know that [pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre Jr.] will get with him tomorrow, they'll look at everything that happened and they'll actually talk about what went good, what went wrong, what was going on in your head right then. And that's how it works, and then you keep growing from there."

Hours before first pitch, Mattingly detailed the difficulty of coming to a new organization while trying to tinker. Not only does it require trust, but also time. Stottlemyre will be a guiding force in the transition. The Marlins don’t want to overwhelm Luzardo, though, with too much information at once.

Luzardo already has identified tweaks, like the ability to finish his pitches and get a feel for all of them in certain spots. As for his mechanics, he needs to be able to repeat them.

“I think they've done a great job, and basically it's up to me at this point just to make it all click,” Luzardo said. “But they haven't dealt too much at me, and what they have thrown at me has been great, and I think it's been a lot of help. Whatever they throw my way, I'll gladly put it to use and put it to work."

Prior to the trade between the A's and Marlins on July 28, Luzardo had been pitching at the Triple-A level in Oakland's system. He posted a 6.91 ERA with 15 walks in 27 1/3 innings across seven outings before switching organizations.

That is a trend that has continued in Luzardo's four starts with the hometown team. He has given up 19 runs in 17 2/3 innings, with 16 walks and 17 strikeouts.

Here is a breakdown of each start:
Aug. 2 vs. Mets: 5 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 5 K (W)
Aug. 7 at Rockies: 4 2/3 IP, 7 H, 7 ER, 4 BB, 2 K (L)
Aug. 13 vs. Cubs: 5 IP, 6 H, 5 ER, 4 BB, 6 K (W)
Wednesday vs. Braves: 3+ IP, 4 H, 4 ER, 5 BB, 4 K (L)

“First time out, had a nice outing, and even though we've seen a few bumps, we've also seen him settle down at different points,” GM Kim Ng said earlier in the week. “I think being with a new club is a little overwhelming for him in his hometown, so we're just going to be patient with him and see what else he's got.”

It's important to note Luzardo is only 23 years old and isn't arbitration-eligible until 2023. He cannot become a free agent until after the '25 season. There is time for him to develop. Luzardo also has experienced success at the Major League level. As a rookie in 2019, he came onto the scene with a 0.67 WHIP in six relief appearances and pitched in the postseason. That’s the Luzardo who appeared in the first three innings, he said. 

“My goal for him is to get him consistent work, get him out there every fifth day, see what it looks like,” Mattingly said. “Let's try to keep working and getting better, and hopefully take him into the winter with a positive frame of mind and a positive place where he can continue to work throughout the winter.”