Nate Eovaldi keys Miami Marlins in continuing hot start

In 2013, the Miami Marlins struggled to the worst record in the National League in a 100-loss season, but if the early going is any indication, they could be greatly improved in 2014. At the center of that is Miami’s multi-talented pitching staff, and the Marlins got a big-time performance from right-hander Nate Eovaldi on Tuesday night that propelled them to a 2-0 record with a 4-3 victory over the Colorado Rockies.

Eovaldi tossed six quality innings on the night, allowing only 2 earned runs on 6 hits, and in keeping with his high-end stuff, the right-hander struck out 6 members of the Rockies. It wasn’t an utterly dominant performance from Eovaldi (in the same mold as Jose Fernandez on Monday, at least), but it was more than enough for Miami to be put in great position for their second straight win, and the offense took it from there.

Miami generated only 5 hits on the night, with no player having a multi-hit game, but timely hitting was key, and once they amassed 4 runs after a Casey McGehee single in the 8th inning, it was lights-out for Colorado. The Marlins may not see themselves at the top of the NL East standings for long, but for two nights, they have been in the driver’s seat.