Wagaman drives fall short as do the Marlins in a 7-4 loss to the Cardinals

Miami Herald

2 days ago

Eric Wagaman launched the fourth pitch he saw Tuesday night into right field, and for a few seconds, it appeared he might have homered for the third consecutive game.
It wound up only being a long fly out, gloved at the edge of the warning track.
His next time up, he lined out deep to left.
Two big swings by the Marlins first baseman, who's found recent success at the plate after some struggles.
That's been one of the few positives for the Marlins, who fell 7-4 to the Cardinals on Tuesday for their 12th loss in 16 games. It also marked their fifth straight series loss.
Wagaman entered Tuesday's game with five hits in his last 11 at-bats, a stretch that included two home runs, a triple and three RBI.
'I think it's in a good spot,' he said of his swing. 'I feel like most of this year it's just been a constant search for it, like having it for short spurts and then losing it again. But hopefully it's in a good spot, and we can keep up the consistency.'
Wagaman said he was 'lunging forward' on his swings and as a result, 'everything was getting sped up because I was going towards the ball.' He worked on remaining centered in the batter's box and eventually started making hard contact on balls hit in the air. That helped him avoid getting too frustrated when he wasn't getting hits, he said.
'It's easier to have that confidence when you do make loud outs, for sure,' Wagaman said. 'You're not going to hit everything perfect. But when it's just at-bat after at-bat of mishits after mishits, that's when it gets really frustrating. Because I know I'm capable of hitting the ball hard consistently.'
Wagaman couldn't come through in the sixth, however. He struck out swinging with runners on first and second and two outs and the Cardinals leading 6-4. Otto Lopez had cut the deficit in half with a two-run single to center two batters earlier.
The Cardinals battered Marlins starter Edward Cabrera, who lasted just 4 1/3 innings, giving up six earned runs and a career-high 11 hits.
'My secondary pitches, curveball and slider, were not landing in the strike zone,' Cabrera said via team interpreter Luis Dorante Jr. 'It made me throw more fastballs and sinkers and they were taking advantage of that.'
Said McCullough: 'I give Cabby a lot of credit…to buckle down and try to give us as many outs as he could in a game where he certainly didn't have what is his typical control and command of his secondaries.'
Right-hander Cal Quantrill was placed on outright waivers Tuesday. He will be owed the remainder of his $3.5 million salary. Quantrill had a 5.50 ERA in 24 starts this season, including an 11.25 ERA in three starts this month.
Left-hander Cade Gibson was recalled from Triple-A Jacksonville — he allowed one run in 3 2/3 innings Tuesday — after right-hander Anthony Bender was placed on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to Aug. 18) with right tibial stress reaction. McCullough said Bender won't return this season. 'The shin has been bothering him for six weeks or more,' McCullough said. 'We're going to miss Anthony. He really put together a fantastic season.'
Maximo Acosta, who debuted at second base Monday, started Tuesday at third — his first time playing the position.
'He moved well,' McCullough said. 'For someone to get out and handle some chances like he did speaks to his overall defensive ability and the athleticism he has and why we like him so much as someone who can handle a multitude of positions.'