Verrett hadn't pitched in the Majors since a relief appearance Aug. 28 and not at all since throwing 87 pitches for Triple-A Las Vegas on Sept. 6. In two September starts for Vegas, Verrett allowed 12 earned runs in 11 2/3 innings, without topping 88 pitches in either start.
With that in mind, Collins hoped to limit his exposure and get to the sixth with Verrett around 75 pitches. When the sixth arrived, the Marlins were scheduled to hit four lefties in the first five batters, so Collins opted for southpaw Sean Gilmartin.
Gilmartin allowed two runs in an inning, but that didn't change anything about Verrett's second successful Major League start in as many tries.