Miami Marlins shortstop Jazz Chisholm (70) makes a diving catch on a pop fly by Tampa Bay Rays’ Nate Lowe during the eighth inning yesterday in St Petersburg, Florida. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)
Jazz Chisholm looks on before batting during the second inning against the Toronto Blue Jays on September 2 in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
#By RENALDO DORSETT
#Tribune Sports Reporter
#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net
#Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm notched a career milestone with the first hit of his MLB career for the Miami Marlins against the American League East leading Tampa Bay Rays.
#Chisholm singled to right centre off the Rays’ Peter Fairbanks in the top of the seventh inning of the Marlins’ 5-4 extra innings loss yesterday at Tropicana Field in Tampa Bay, Florida.
#In a four pitch at bat, Chisholm got caught looking for strike calls on the first two pitches, a cutter and a sinker.
#Fairbanks followed with a curveball outside for a ball and when he followed with another curveball outside, Chisholm connected for the Marlins’ only hit of the inning.
#He was picked off caught stealing second during the following at bat.
#Chisholm also flashed his potential in the field with a highlight-reel worthy diving catch over his right shoulder in right centrefield for the first out of the eighth inning.
#He finished 1-4 on the afternoon at the plate and in the field, he had three assists and two putouts defensively.
#Yesterday’s game was Chisholm’s second start at shortstop and he appeared as a pinch runner Friday night as they fell to 17-18 on the season following the series.
#The Marlins remain on the road for a matchup with the Atlanta Braves today at 1:10pm.
#The series began with the Rays’ 5-4 win Friday night.
#Chisholm entered the game in the top of the ninth inning, pinch running starting shortstop Miguel Rojas.
#He advanced to second on a fielding error and was out on the ensuing at bat on a fielder’s choice.
#The Marlins won game two of the series 7-3 on Saturday night. Chisholm made his historic debut and became the seventh Bahamian to advance to the MLB on September 1. It was the first game of a back-to-back against the Toronto Blue Jays at Marlins Stadium. The Marlins won 3-2.
#The 22-year-old made his major league debut as a defensive substitute in the top of the eighth inning for shortstop Rojas, who left the game because of a sore abdomen.
#One night after his debut, Chisholm got the first big league start of his young career, filling in at shortstop for the injured Rojas. Chisholm went 0-4 at the plate and defensively had two assists and one putout in the Marlins’ 2-1 loss in their second game against the Blue Jays in as many nights.
#Following his callup, Chisholm said he remains cognisant of his role as an inspiration to future generations of aspiring Bahamian baseball players.
#“Everyone was telling me they were so proud of me and that I’m an inspiration to them and some of them were the guys that I was looking up to when I was younger so it touches me that I can touch anyone’s heart in the Bahamas. We know how the struggle has been back home for the past year with COVID-19 and I got called up to play on September first which makes a year since Hurricane Dorian passed, so all of that made it a special time for me,” he said, “Having my debut in Miami the closest place to home when I can’t be home, I’m always at a loss for words when I think of it. Getting called up to a playoff potential team, and i believe we’re going to make the playoffs, it’s just amazing. I think the whole Bahamas are Marlins fans now.”