Marlins Drop Critical Series in Colorado

The Miami Marlins lost 7-4 to the Colorado Rockies on Sunday and dropped a critical series against a team out of contention.

The Marlins had an opportunity once again to gain ground in the Wild Card race and failed to capitalize. The loss moves Miami under .500 and is a very poor start to a nine-game three-city road trip.

Brad Hand didn't help the Marlins much as he put them in a hole quickly. After one inning of play, the Rockies already held a 3-0 advantage on the back of two home run swings. Hand would mostly settle in after that but the damage was done.

The left-hander who remains a candidate to be designated for assignment allowed four runs on seven hits in his 4.1 innings on the mound. Hand also walked three and struck out three in the short outing.

Brad Penny came out of the bullpen and struggled mightily in his first appearance as a reliever. The veteran surrendered three runs on six hits in 2.1 innings which put the game away. The big blow came on a two-run hit in the seventh inning.

Offensively, the Marlins left an army on the bases for a third straight day. Eight men were left on by Miami and the team went 4-12 with runners in scoring position.

Adeiny Hechavarria had the biggest day at the dish for the Marlins picking up two triples to give him nine on the year. The three-base hits came in his first two at-bats of the game. The shortstop also scored a run along the way.