DENVER — The frustration finally boiled over in the third inning Sunday. Miguel Rojas checked his swing on a two-strike curveball and, on appeal, first-base umpire Mark Carlson said Rojas’ bat went through the strike zone. Strikeout.
Rojas, the Miami Marlins’ de-facto captain, disagreed with the call. The shortstop pleaded his case at home plate, started to retreat toward the dugout and then, after being ejected, got his money’s worth. He sprinted toward Carlson at first base to make his argument one more time. Acting manager James Rowson followed to defend his player. Jody Reed, serving as the Marlins’ first-base coach with Keith Johnson away from the team, held Rojas back as he continued to voice his case before making his way off the field.
The moment encapsulated the Marlins’ three days at Coors Field. The day ended in a 13-8 loss, which completed the Rockies’ three-game sweep of the Marlins.
Rojas said he was frustrated that there were a couple check swings from Rockies hitters an inning earlier similar to his that weren’t called but that his actions were fueled by something larger than his at-bat.
“It’s about protecting our team, protecting the pitchers and asking for a fairly called game,” Rojas said. That’s all I can say about the situation. I’m not proud of the way I acted, but sometimes in the heat of the game and in the heat of the moment, you can’t really control your emotions or the things that you say or if you throw the hands in the air.”
The Rockies clubbed six home runs on Sunday and holding off a last-ditch effort from Miami’s offense to complete the three-game sweep. Miami, now a season-worst 18 games under .500 with a 47-65 record, lost the first two games of the series 14-2 on Friday and 7-4 on Saturday.
The Marlins were outscored 34-14 over the three games, with 22 of the Rockies’ runs coming on 11 home runs and now they head to San Diego for a three-game series with the Padres at Petco Park.
This comes after the Marlins won three of four games against the New York Mets and looked like there might be a momentum swing in their favor.
Now, Rowson has to make sure things don’t get derailed.
“Morale only shifts if you let it,” Rowson said. “If you can’t evaluate and assess some of the things that happen and you don’t have a way or you can’t figure out how to move on to the next day, then all of a sudden morale shifts. That’s why you have to be accountable for your day-to-day process. Tomorrow is going to be a new day where these guys.”
Rojas’ ejection, Marlins coupled with middle infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. being scratched from the lineup with flu-like symptoms and left fielder Jorge Alfaro exiting in the middle of his third-inning at-bat with shortness of breath, left the Marlins thin in position players and forced Rowson to get creative with his infield. Joe Panik started in Chisholm’s absence. Brian Anderson played the final six innings at shortstop for Rojas after starting the game at third base. Isan Diaz took Anderson’s spot at third base.
David Hess, serving as the opener for the Marlins on a bullpen day, gave up three home runs before being pulled in the second after being handed a 1-0 lead in the first. Sean Guenther threw a pair of scoreless innings before giving up a grand slam in the fourth. Anthony Bender gave up a home run in the seventh. Dylan Floro gave up a home run in the eighth.
Jesus Aguilar drove in three runs on a single in the first, double in the fifth and home run in the ninth. Lewis Brinson added a two-run double in the fifth, and Alex Jackson hit a three-run home run in the eighth.
