Interstate Rivals Take Game One

The Citrus series resumed on Tuesday as the Tampa Bay Rays came into South Florida and notched a 6-4 win.   In a well pitched game by Florida Marlins‘ starter Scott Olsen, the bullpen once again faltered and cost the fish a chance to move into a tie with the Philadelphia Phillies who also lost.   The Marlins rallied in the bottom of the 9th but fell short of a comeback victory.

Olsen pitched very well in this game allowing only 2 earned runs in seven innings of work.    Having only thrown 86 pitches, the lefty would have probably kept on pitching had his lineup spot not came up in a tie game in the 7th.    Olsen struck out 4 and walked 2 while lowering his E.R.A to 3.44 for the season.  Renyel Pinto allowed 2 earned runs without retiring a batter and was given the loss in the game.    Joe Nelson worked two thirds of an inning allowing no earned runs.  Nelson entered with the bases loaded nobody out with the Marlins ahead by a run and retired the first two batters faced before walking two consecutive Rays hitters giving Tampa Bay the lead.   Justin Miller was next to pitch and made things much tougher for the Marlins allowing 2 earned runs in his 1.1 innings of work.

The Marlins loaded the bases in the bottom of the 9th and put across a run but the rally would fall short when Mike Jacobs grounded out to 2nd base to end the game against Rays closer, Troy Percival.  The Rays stopper walked 4 hitters in the 9th inning.

The series continues on Wednesday as James Shields pitches for the Tampa Bay Rays.   Rookie Ryan Tucker will take the mound for the Marlins as they look to even up the series.