Yuri Pérez surpassed all possible numbers in his entry into the Major Leagues and earned the first win of a career that could be long and fruitful, if all the talent reports on the young Dominican pitcher bear out.
On a windy Thursday afternoon at LongDepo Park, Pérez pitched five innings of one run as the Marlins defeated the Washington Nationals 5–3, sweeping away four straight wins and two over the .500 mark. The game went ahead.
“When we got to the clubhouse everyone greeted me with so much joy,” Perez said.
“I’ll back it up with the first baseball I threw in the Major Leagues. I’ll never forget my first win.”
If in his initial appearances, Pérez—turned into the youngest pitcher to debut in Miami history—showed signs of talent but could not complete five innings, he now seemed more confident and proficient on the mound, scoring one run. , allowing three hits with six strikeouts and a walk.
Marlins outfielder Brian De La Cruz walks to base after hitting a home run in the second inning of a game against the Washington Nationals on May 18, 2023 in Miami.
For the Marlins, Pérez emerging with so much promise and projection is a boon in difficult times, as there is no remote idea of when veteran Johnny Cueto and left-hander Trevor Rogers will be able to return to the rotation.
Perez said, “I am very happy for this victory, but above all because I helped the team win.”
“All my pitches were working for me and I felt very comfortable on the mound. Now we have to keep working to continue on this path.
With Edward Cabrera, who pitched solid Wednesday, and Sandy Alcantara, scheduled to pitch this Friday in San Francisco, Perez could confirm a Dominican trident that includes Venezuelan Jesús Luzardo and left-hander Braxton Garrett. Are included.
Pérez’s only error came in the fourth when Jaimer Candelario hit a ball out of the park to center field, but by then he had taken a two-run lead on a Brian de la Cruz home run to left field. Second and a double drive from Jean Segura in the third.
De la Cruz seems to have entered a state of consistency, as indicated by his 12 consecutive hitting games and a very productive month of May, where his batting average after doing the same for .261 in April is .354.
The Fish stepped up to the plate with a single by Xavier Edwards in the fourth and added a double that would be crucial with a hit by Garrett Cooper in the seventh and another unassuming hit by Nick Fortes in the eighth to clinch the win.
Shoemaker said of the Marlins flying to San Francisco, “I know it sounds cliché, but we’re taking it one game at a time.”
“Now we will start a long tour, but after this good moment and with a streak of four wins it is good to go.”
