Charles Leblanc will have to wait before savoring his second victory in a Miami Marlins uniform, since the Miami club lost 2 to 1 by the Cubs on Friday in Chicago.
The Quebecer’s club had a narrow lead of one run and had allowed only one hit after seven innings. The crowd favorites showed their teeth on their eighth turn at bat, however. Williams Contreras kicked the ball out of bounds with Nick Madrigal already on second base. The Marlins then came up against reliever Rowan Wick and the opposing defense in the ninth.
Coming back to Leblanc, the third baseman had a role to play in securing his team’s lone run. In the seventh inning, he singled out Erich Uelmen, who had just landed on the mound. The Laval native was then replaced by Luke Williams on the cushions. Two batters later, Joey Wendle hit a single that propelled the substitute to the plate.
In his first appearance at the plate, in the third turn at bat for his team, Leblanc also got a single. His teammates, however, were unable to allow him to go around the trails. The Belle Province representative was also struck out by Justin Steele on his second attempt at the plate.
The win went to Wick’s record (3-5). Cubs starter Justin Steele also had a strong outing, giving up four strikes to the safety and one walk in four and two-thirds innings.
It was reliever Dylan Floro (0-1) who took the backhand. We must also underline the brilliant performance of gunner Edward Cabrera. Starting the game for the Marlins, the 24-year-old allowed no hits and struck out eight opponents. In total, all of the losing team’s pitchers, except for Floro, gave only one strike to the safety.
Leblanc and his Marlins teammates will reconnect with the Cubs on Saturday afternoon for Game 2 of a three-game series at Wrigley Field.
