Baseball Falls To Florida Marlins 12-6 In Exhibition Game
April 1, 2000
Coral Gables, FL – The Hurricanes made it interesting at times, but were unable to defeat their big league neighbor, the Florida Marlins, in a 12-6 exhibition game loss at Mark Light Stadium on the UM campus.
After falling behind 6-0 going into the bottom of the fifth, Miami put up four runs on Marlins starter Jesus Sanchez to pull within two. Centerfielder Mark Walker led off the inning with a double down the left field line and later scored the first UM run of the game on a single to centerfield by shortstop Javy Rodriguez. After Mark Walker’s at bat, catcher Mike DiRosa drew a walk and advanced to second on Javy Rodriguez’ RBI single. The next UM batter, left fielder Mike Rodriguez, doubled to centerfield to bring in DiRosa and move Javy Rodriguez to third. UM third baseman Kevin Howard then hit a single to centerfield, scoring both Javy and Mike Rodriguez on the play.
The Hurricanes scored two more runs in the bottom of the ninth to bring the score to its final 12-6. Miami nearly made it closer on designated hitter Lale Esquivel’s deep fly shot that was caught at the top of the right centerfield wall that would have brought in three more runs. With Armando Almanza pitching for the Marlins, freshman first baseman Danny Matienzo hit a two RBI single to left field scoring Howard and Mike Rodriguez. Howard had reached base earlier on a walk, while Mike Rodriguez reached on fielder’s choice.
Offensive leaders for Miami were third baseman Kevin Howard, who went 2-4 with a run scored, a walk and two RBI. First baseman Danny Matienzo also had two RBI, while going 2-5 from the plate. Other RBI’s were by left fielder Mike Rodriguez and shortstop Javy Rodriguez.
Florida was led by third baseman Mike Lowell, who had seven RBI, two home runs, a double and two runs scored, while going 3-5 from the plate. Shortstop Alex Gonzalez went 4-4 with two runs scored and two RBI.
Florida opened up scoring in the top of the first with a solo home run by Gonzalez off UM starter Brian Walker.
In the second, Florida scored its second run when left fielder Danny Bautista flied out to left field, bringing in designated hitter Kevin Millar.
The Marlins put up a four-spot in the third when second baseman Luis Castillo scored on a Gonzalez single to left field. Lowell brought in the rest of the runs with a home run to left field, also scoring centerfield Preston Wilson and Gonzalez.
With freshman pitcher Kiki Bengochea on the mound, the Marlins were held scoreless through the fifth inning. Florida erased its 6-4 lead in the six, when it scored four more to jump out 10-4. Pinch hitter Drew Niles scored the first run, followed by pinch runner Pedro Medrano after a throwing error by shortstop Kris Clute. Lowell again brought in the other two runs with a home run to centerfield, also scoring outfielder Brant Brown.
The Marlins closed out their scoring in the eighth when Lowell knocked in two more runs off UM reliever Ryan Channell with a double to left field that brought in outfielder Mark Kotsay and Niles.
Miami returns to action April 7-9, for a three-game series at top-ranked Florida State in Tallahassee, FL. The following weekend, UM will host a three-game series with the Seminoles at Mark Light Stadium. For ticket information call 1-800 GO CANES or 305-284 CANES in Dade county. For information on all of Hurricane athletics, check out www.hurricanesports.com, the official website of UM athletics.
