Marlins Emerge From Coronavirus Hiatus With 4-0 Win Over Orioles

MIAMI, FL — The Miami Marlins emerged from a week-long coronavirus hiatus Tuesday with a 4-0 shutout against the Baltimore Orioles in what had the look and feel of a second opening day.

Tuesday's game against the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards included an unplanned nearly hour -long delay while the reimagined Marlins awaited their coronavirus test results.

Eighteen players and two coaches tested positive for the virus since the team took on the Philadelphis Phillies on July 24-26 in Philadelphia, according to Fox Sports.

"Our players and coaches went into this knowing that their health was on the line," Marlins CEO Derek Jeter told reporters ahead of Tuesday's game. "Unfortunately, we have seen first hand, just how contagious this virus is."

Jeter denied reports that any of his players acted irresponsibly when they visited Atlanta for a preseason game prior to the team's road trip in Philadelphia to start the season.

"Our guys were not running all around town after our game in Atlanta," he insisted. "Guys were around each other. They got relaxed. They let their guard down."

Major League Baseball subsequently announced a pause in the 2020 season for the Fish that lasted eight days. The Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees, Orioles and Washington Nationals all had scheduling changes as a result of the Marlins coronavirus outbreak.

The Marlins came into the first of their four-game series with the Orioles at 2-1 and quickly dispatched any notion that the replacements might not be up to the challenge or that the Marlins might be sluggish from the long break.

The Fish jumped out to a 1-0 lead when catcher Francisco Cervelli (#29) drove a pitch into the empty left field bleachers for his first home run of the season at the top of the fifth.

Miami expanded the lead to 3-0 in a wild top-of-the sixth that included an error by Orioles third baseman Renato Nunez.

Marlins reliever James Hoyt (#39) came out of the bullpen for Venezuelan starter Pablo Lopez, who struck out seven before retiring to the dugout. Hoyt held the Orioles scoreless in the sixth.

Former Orioles pitcher Richard Bleier (#35) now on the Marlins, came in for Hoyt at the bottom of the 7th inning and added to the Orioles disappointment.

Jesus Aguilar added an insurance home run in the top of the eighth on an 87 mph fastball to put the Marlins up 4-0.

Brad Boxberger (#33) came in during the eighth for the Fish. He stranded a walked runner to keep the Orioles scoreless.

Brandon Kintzler (#27) came in to close out the Orioles in the bottom of the ninth. The game ended on a ground ball to second.

Marlins outfielder Monte Harrison (#4) made his major league debut with a spectacular diving catch that could have led to a scoring opportunity for the O's, which came into the game in second place behind the New York Yankees in the American League East.

The Orioles had only three hits against the Marlins, whom they last saw in 2018 for a two-game set at Camden Yards that the teams split.

The Orioles and Marlins will play a doubleheader on Wednesday with back-to-back, seven-inning contests beginning at 5:05 p.m. The second game will start approximately 30 minutes after the first wraps up.

The O’s served as the home team for Game 1, while the Marlins will serve as the home team for Game 2 .The series finale on Thursday will begin at 7:35 p.m., with the Marlins acting as the home team.

After putting 17 players on the injured list, the Marlins added 17 new players to the roster, including 10 from the team's alternate site in Jupiter, Florida and seven acquisitions.

Miami called up left-handed pitcher Daniel Castano, Harrison, outfielder Matt Joyce, outfielder Lewis Brinson, catcher Ryan Lavarnway, right-handed pitcher Nick Vincent, right-handed pitcher Jordan Yamamoto, right-handed pitcher Josh A. Smith, infielder Eddy Alvarez and right-handed pitcher Jorge Guzman.

"We've just been trying to hold down the fort, get some guys back," Marlins Manager Don Mattingly told Fox Sports after the game. "This one felt good. We've been through a lot."

Miami traded to get left-hander Bleier from Baltimore and right-hander Hoyt from Cleveland. The Marlins claimed left-handed pitcher Josh D. Smith. right-handed pitcher Justin Shafer, right-handed pitcher Mike Morin, right-handed pitcher Brian Moran from waivers and the team signed free agent infielder Logan Forsythe.