It was an all-Lopez affair on Friday night.
The pitching matchup featured two right-handers: Miami Marlins’ Pablo Lopez against Kansas City Royals’ Jorge Lopez. Jorge Lopez, a 26-year-old from Puerto Rico, and Pablo Lopez, a 23-year-old from Venezuela, are not related.
Friday’s matchup between the Lopezes was only the second time in major league history that featured two starting pitchers with a Lopez surname, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. The other game also featured Jorge Lopez, who faced Reynaldo Lopez, of the Chicago White Sox, April 16.
The “Royal” Lopez finished in the win column.
Jorge Lopez pitched six innings of baseball allowing only four hits and Hunter Dozier homered, leading the Kansas City Royals to a 3-0 win over the Miami Marlins on Friday night.
Dozier connected on his 25th homer, a solo shot off Miami reliever Jeff Brigham in the eighth.
“We just couldn’t get anything going all night,” Miami manager Don Mattingly said.
The Marlins were shut out for the 21st time this season. It was the Royals first game against the Marlins since 2016.
Right-hander Pablo Lopez, who missed two months because of a shoulder strain, lasted 6 1/3 innings, allowed two runs, eight hits and struck out four. It was his longest outing for the fish since returning from the injured list Aug. 26.
“A great defense behind me gave me the confidence to keep pounding the strike zone,” Pablo Lopez said. “I want to finish the season healthy, that’s my number one priority.”
Entering the game, it is fair to say Pablo Lopez has had the better career so far when you look at the numbers.
It was Pablo Lopez first appearance against Royals. Jorge Lopez has never started against Miami and entered the game 0-1 with a 3.86 ERA in one relief appearance against the Marlins while with Milwaukee last season.
The Marlins have the worst record in the National League. Moreover missing the playoffs is a foregone conclusion for both teams, individual performances become the main focus.
The beat goes on.
For the Royals, LHP Danny Duffy (5-6, 4.89) will start the middle game of the series Saturday.
Marlins will have LHP Caleb Smith (8-9, 4.30) will make his first career start against the Royals. Smith has lost four of his last five starts.
