BASEBALL: Marlins capitalize on White Sox errors in 9-2 romp

Griffin Conine, Liam Hicks, and Owen Caissie each drove in two runs as the host Miami Marlins defeated the Chicago White Sox 9-2 on Tuesday night.

After Janson Junk’s 4 1/3-inning start, four relievers — Andrew Nardi, Anthony Bender (1-0), Calvin Faucher, and Pete Fairbanks — combined for eight strikeouts and held the Marlins hitless over the final 4 2/3 innings.

Erick Fedde (0-1) took the loss for Chicago, allowing six hits, one walk, and four runs (three earned) in five innings.

The White Sox, coming off three consecutive 100-loss seasons, committed three errors, all on throws to the plate. Two miscues were charged to center fielder Luisangel Acuna.

Chicago opened the scoring in the third inning with four singles, driving in two runs. Munetaka Murakami and Andrew Benintendi had the RBIs.

Miami responded in the fourth. Xavier Edwards led off with an infield chopper, followed by Agustin Ramirez’s double on a 105-mph liner that eluded both Acuna and right fielder Tristan Peters. That misplay sparked a four-run inning as Hicks delivered a two-run double down the first base line, and Caissie and Heriberto Hernandez added RBI singles.

Chicago held Miami scoreless in the fifth thanks to two outstanding defensive plays. Left fielder Austin Hays made a diving catch to rob Jakob Marsee, and Acuna threw out Edwards attempting to stretch a single into a double.

The Marlins added two more runs in the seventh. Hernandez drew a walk, Conine singled, and Graham Pauley executed a safety squeeze. Pauley’s bunt deflected off catcher Edgar Quero’s glove for a fielding error, and Marsee followed with a sacrifice fly.

Miami capped the scoring in the eighth with Caissie’s sacrifice fly and a two-run homer by Conine.

The victory marked a strong showing for the Marlins as they continue their push in the early season.

—Field Level Media/Reuters