MIAMI — With the bases loaded early in a one-run game, Isan Diaz swung at the first pitch he saw in the third inning Friday, a 94.1-mph fastball from Milwaukee Brewers reliever Patrick Weigel, and watched as the ball carried to right-center field at loanDepot park.
He got just enough to bust open the game for the Miami Marlins against his former team to begin a three-game series.
The ball landed in the artificial turf just beyond the wall for a grand slam — the first of Diaz’s career. The Marlins never looked back from there en route to a 6-1 win over the Brewers. Miami has now won four consecutive games and is 15-16 on the year. Milwaukee, which has lost six consecutive games, falls to 17-16.
Diaz rounded the bases with a smile on his face and was greeted at home plate by Miguel Rojas, Garrett Cooper and Adam Duvall, the trio of runners who were on the basepaths when he sent the ball a projected 401 feet and out of reach of the Brewers’ outfielders.
Diaz, one of four players the Marlins acquired from the Brewers as part of the Christian Yelich trade in January 2018 (along with Lewis Brinson, Monte Harrison and Jordan Yamamoto), has hits in three of his last four games.
He has safely reached base in all seven games since being recalled to the active roster on April 28 after Jazz Chisholm Jr. went on the injured list.
The Marlins have now hit home runs in five consecutive games, including two by Diaz.
Marlins shortstop Miguel Rojas on Friday tied a career high with four consecutive multi-hit games. He also accomplished the feat last season (July 24-August 21, 2020). He went 2 for 3 with a double, a walk and three runs scored.
Trevor Rogers held the Brewers to one run in five innings of work. He struck out six while giving up just four hits and two walks. His ERA after seven starts is now 1.89.
