The visiting Miami Marlins will be without manager Skip Schumaker when they continue their three-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday afternoon.
Schumaker will miss the final two games of the season because of a family health issue but then late Friday, multiple media outlets reported that Schumaker will not be returning to the club next season.
Schumaker was due to become a free agent after the season. According to ESPN, he notified the team’s players postgame that it was his final contest with the team.
The Marlins’ final game of the season under Schumaker was a 15-5 blowout win over the Blue Jays (74-86) in the opener of a three-game series that will end the season for both teams.
Xavier Edwards had four hits, including a major-league-record-tying three triples, and four RBIs for the Marlins (60-100).
“I got to show off my full speed,” Edwards said. “It was nice to open up the legs a little bit.”
The Marlins arrived in Toronto at about 5 a.m. Friday after a 13-inning, 8-6 victory over the host Minnesota Twins on Thursday. The Blue Jays had Thursday off yet the Marlins played with more energy.
“Very proud of our team.” Edwards said. “We came out to take care of business.”
He is the first player in Marlins team history with three triples in a game and the first in the majors since Yasiel Puig on July 25, 2014.
Jonah Bride hit two home runs and had three RBIs for Miami, his first career multi-homer game.
It was a good night for former Blue Jays on Friday. Second baseman Otto Lopez, who was born in the Dominican Republic and spent part of his childhood in Montreal, was 2-for-3 with a walk. He played nine major league games with Toronto and was designated for assignment in February. Griffin Conine played in the minors with Toronto until he was traded to Miami four years ago. He was 2-for-5 with a solo home run and three RBIs on Friday.
Toronto’s Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had two hits and a sacrifice fly Friday night and needs one more hit to become the sixth player in franchise history to reach 200 or more hits in a season. He is batting .326, second in the American League to Bobby Witt Jr.’s .332 for the Kansas City Royals.
Alejandro Kirk was 2-for-5 for Toronto, extending his hit streak to 18 games. He is batting .316 (24-for-76) with 13 RBIs during the streak.
Toronto starter Jose Berrios failed for the second straight start to earn his 17th win of the season as well as career win No. 100 on Friday
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Berrios allowed six runs and six hits in three innings on Friday.
“It was uncharacteristic of him,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said. “But you look back at his year and he’s been awesome. He’s been consistent. He’s been reliable. He’s been really damn good. Looking at his overall body of work he should be really proud of the things that he did on and off the field.”
Right-hander Yariel Rodriguez (1-7, 4.41 ERA) is scheduled to start for Toronto on Saturday, his first career appearance against Miami.
The Marlins are scheduled to open with right-hander Xzavion Curry (1-2, 5.02), who has never faced Toronto.
–Field Level Media
