So much for Marlins manager Don Mattingly’s plans to platoon 38-year-old outfielder Curtis Granderson when a left-handed pitcher starts for the opposing team.
Granderson, who earned his roster spot after signing a minor-league contract with Miami in February, began his tenure with his seventh major league team with a bang by crushing a home run in his second at-bat of Friday’s 6-1 loss to the Colorado Rockies.
Granderson became the 18th player in Marlins’ history to homer in his debut with the club. Teammates Neil Walker and Jorge Alfaro achieved the same feat in Thursday’s 6-3 loss.