Saturday’s 7-2 loss to the Nationals was, remarkably, the first time all season where it felt like the Marlins were totally out of the game in the middle innings. Paul Campbell was mediocre in his first MLB start and barely got any help from his defense or lineup.
Campbell faced seven batters in the first inning, surrendering one run. It could’ve been worse—with the bases loaded, he nearly plunked Nats center fielder Andrew Stevenson with a high fastball to force in another run. Stevenson struck out on the next pitch.
Campbell struggled to miss bats, but didn’t allow an extra-base hit until Yan Gomes launched a two-run homer in the bottom of the fourth.