Liam Hicks has returned from injury to bolster an already red-hot lineup for the Miami Marlins, who continue their four-game series at the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday in Denver.
Hicks, who leads Miami with 13 home runs and 53 RBIs, was activated ahead of Tuesday’s game and immediately was re-inserted at the top of the order. He went 2-for-6 with a run in the 14-3 win.
Hicks splits time at catcher, first base and DH had been on the injured list since June 19 with lower back inflammation.
He admitted getting impatient while waiting for the 10-day stint to conclude, however traveling with the team while on the injured list has allowed Hicks to stay connected with the club.
“Especially when we’re playing well, you want to get back there, join the fun,” Hicks said, “but it’s been super fun watching the guys play.”
The Marlins have won 10 of their last 12 games and posted a 20-6 mark in June, putting themselves squarely in the National League wild-card picture with a 46-40 record entering July.
Right-hander Max Meyer (9-0, 2.60 ERA) will start for Miami on Wednesday as it attempts to secure a series victory in Colorado. The Marlins have scored double digits in each of the first two games.
Meyer has picked up wins in his last three starts and four of his last five. Most recently on Friday night, he threw seven scoreless innings and allowed just two hits in a 4-0 win over the St. Louis Cardinals.
Meyer, 27, struggled in his three previous career starts against Colorado, posting a 0-2 record with a 6.60 ERA.
A 11-15 June was a slight improvement for the Rockies after an 8-20 May, but they still enter this month in last place in the NL West with a 33-53 record.
Colorado manager Warren Schaeffer backs his players’ mentality to move on after the team’s heavy defeat on Tuesday.
“You’re going to have one of these every now and then. All year, when we’ve had them, we’ve flushed them and come back ready to play the next day,” Schaeffer said.
“That’s part of trusting these guys in what they do. They’re professionals.”
Left-hander Kyle Freeland (1-7, 7.50) will take the mound for the Rockies as they look to turn the page.
Freeland, 33, hasn’t won a game since April 7 against Houston, but he has pitched six or more innings for the first time since that night in each of his last two starts. Last time out on Wednesday against Boston, he received a no-decision after giving up six runs in six innings.
This is a matchup that has served well for Freeland, as he is 4-2 with a 3.80 ERA in 10 career appearances (eight starts) versus Miami.
Thirteen was something of a milestone number for the Rockies offense this past month.
Hunter Goodman ended June with 13 home runs — the second-most in a single month in franchise history — and first baseman TJ Rumfield is riding a 13-game hit streak.
–Field Level Media
