Youth motion on show as Marlins, Rockies conclude sequence

Colorado and Miami are attempting to stay out of the National League basement, and heading into the finale of a four-game series, the host Rockies have a chance to create separation from the Marlins for the season’s final stretch.

Colorado bounced back from blowing a late lead on Tuesday, winning 8-2 on Wednesday. The Rockies have a chance to take three of the four games when the series wraps up Thursday afternoon.

Miami will send Valente Bellozo (2-2, 3.35 ERA) to the mound while the Rockies counter with Bradley Blalock (1-0, 3.06) in a matchup of rookie right-handers.

It is not surprising two rookies will be facing each other: The entire series has featured young players getting their first taste of the majors. There have been growing pains, but both teams have been patient, which at times has paid off.

Miami’s Griffin Conine — son of former Marlins All-Star Jeff Conine — made a splash in his first major league start on Tuesday, hitting a double and a triple, and he added an RBI single on Wednesday. Connor Norby has also been impactful since his debut for Miami on Aug. 19.

Jesus Sanchez, the hero of the Tuesday comeback with a ninth-inning homer, is supportive of his young Marlins teammates.

“Collectively, I think we’re very young, a very young group of guys,” Sanchez told reporters through an interpreter. “I think they’re doing an outstanding job. They’re doing a great job. I’m very happy for them, and I congratulate them, and looking into the future, I think we have a bright future with this group.”

Bellozo has been trying to establish himself since the Marlins acquired him from the Houston Astros earlier this season. Bellozo has made seven starts and has a much better ERA in four road outings (1.61) than in three appearances at home (5.87).

Thursday will be his first time facing Colorado.

Like Bellozo, Blalock has not faced his Thursday opponent. He is coming off his first major league win, when he threw 5 1/3 innings of two-run ball on Saturday against the host New York Yankees. This will be his fourth career start and fifth overall appearance. He had one relief outing for the Milwaukee Brewers earlier this season before he was dealt to the Rockies at the trade deadline.

While Colorado is on pace to lose 100 games for the second straight season, there have been highlights, especially from Ezequiel Tovar. He followed up a two-homer game on Tuesday with a two-run double on Wednesday. Tovar also earned praise for his defensive play from manager Bud Black.

“He’s played really well at shortstop,” Black said. “And you combine that with 21 homers and fourth in the NL in hits, it’s been a really good year for ‘Tovie.'”

It isn’t just his manager who has been impressed by Tovar.

“He’s continuing to get better,” Colorado starting pitcher Cal Quantrill said. “He’s taking better at-bats every week. Most importantly, he’s playing every day and playing great defense, too, so he’s doing it on both sides of the ball. They’ve got a special one here for a long time.”

–Field Level Media