In his first game back from the injured list, Otto Lopez made an immediate impact, launching a three-run homer to help power the Miami Marlins to a 5-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday afternoon at loanDepot park.
Lopez, reinstated from the 10-day IL after recovering from a sprained ankle that sidelined him since May 3, didn’t waste any time reintroducing himself to the lineup. In the bottom of the third inning, with Matt Mervis doubling to lead off and Eric Wagaman following with a single, Lopez sent a blast over the left field wall off Rays starter Shane Baz (3-3) to put Miami ahead 3-1.
Catcher Liam Hicks added insurance with a two-run homer in the sixth, also off Baz, giving the Marlins all the offense they needed.
On the mound, right-hander Cal Quantrill (3-4) delivered a solid performance, allowing just one run and two hits over five innings, striking out six. The win marked Miami’s first series victory since taking two of three from the Cincinnati Reds from April 21-23, and improved their home record to 12-13.
“This was a complete team effort,” said Marlins manager Skip Schumaker. “It’s great to see Otto come back and contribute right away. Cal battled through some tough moments and our bullpen was outstanding.”
The Rays struck first in the third inning when Taylor Walls walked, stole second, and eventually scored on a fielder’s choice grounder by Yandy Díaz that was mishandled by Lopez at second base. But that would be Tampa Bay’s only run of the day.
Quantrill faced a bases-loaded jam later in the third with one out, but escaped unscathed by inducing a lineout from Brandon Lowe and a double play off the bat of Junior Caminero.
Miami’s bullpen — Ronny Henriquez, Jesus Tinoco, Calvin Faucher, and Anthony Bender — combined for four scoreless innings. Henriquez allowed the only hit during that stretch as the Marlins shut down the Rays offense the rest of the way.
Baz, meanwhile, continued to struggle through a rocky May. The 24-year-old righty gave up five runs and nine hits in six innings and has now allowed 21 runs on 30 hits in his four starts this month (18 2/3 innings).
Tampa Bay heads back home to start a nine-game homestand. RHP Ryan Pepiot (2-5, 3.93 ERA) will take the mound Monday against the Houston Astros, who counter with LHP Colton Gordon (0-0, 6.23 ERA) in his second career start.
Miami stays home to open a three-game set against the Chicago Cubs. RHP Edward Cabrera (0-1, 5.52 ERA) is slated to start Monday’s opener.
