Despite loss to D-Backs, Bride making the most of his chance with the Marlins
Jonah Bride’s baseball travels would be best illustrated with a map and push pins.
The Marlins’ first baseman/designated hitter played junior college ball in Kansas and college ball in South Carolina.
He then ping-ponged from Vermont to California to Texas to Nevada before starting his MLB career with the Oakland A’s.
In case you’re curious, Bride was born in Wisconsin. He grew up in Oklahoma.
“I’ve definitely been all over the place,” Bride said before the Marlins’ 10-8 loss to the Diamondbacks on Wednesday.
“It’s been a good journey.”
That odyssey has led Bride to Miami, where the 28-year-old has carved out a role as an everyday player. Wednesday’s series finale marked his 23rd consecutive game in the Marlins’ lineup — as a first baseman, designated hitter or third baseman (three games).
“Any time you can get in there every day, you’re going to start to get more comfortable,” Bride said. “And that’s been the case, for sure. I’m thankful for Skip, the coaching staff, and the front office for giving me this opportunity right now.”
Said manager Skip Schumaker: “What we didn’t know, or at least I didn’t know, was what Jonah Bride was going to provide. He’s been excellent [hitting], and he’s been really good defensively as well.”
Since he was recalled from Triple A Jacksonville on July 4, Bride has consistently hit third behind leadoff man Xavier Edwards and Jake Burger.
“I’ve been talking to Burger daily and picking his brain,” he noted.
Like Burger, who belted a two-run homer in the first inning Wednesday, Bride has swung with success.
Entering the game at loanDepot park, Bride was batting .303 (27 for 89) with a .917 OPS and at least one hit in 21 of 26 games since July 10 — the third game of his third stint with the Marlins this season.
“It’s been awesome to see,” Burger said. “He rakes and he’s finally getting a full run at it. It’s
been incredible to have him [hit] behind me.”
“He’s getting his opportunity and doing the most with it,” Schumaker said. “It feels like he’s getting an RBI every game or an extra base hit and getting on base a couple times. We threw him in the middle right away, protecting one of the hottest hitters in the game right now in Burger. That’s not easy.”
Added Schumaker: “He doesn’t try to do too much. But if [opposing pitchers] miss, he’ll get you. … And he also plays multiple positions, which I love.”
Bride appeared in 58 games for the A’s as a rookie in 2022 and 40 games last season. He was traded to the Marlins on Feb. 6 in exchange for cash considerations and started this season with them.
A roster spot opened for Bride when the Marlins traded second baseman Jon Berti to the Yankees on the eve of Opening Day.
One week later, Bride was optioned back to Jacksonville. His second Marlins’ stint, in early May, lasted only two days. Bride said he wasn’t discouraged.
Now, as Burger said, “he’s doing his thing.”
Bride was 0 for 4 Wednesday, but the Marlins led 6-3 after six innings thanks to Burger’s blast followed by four runs in the fourth against Diamondbacks starter Jordan Montgomery.
Otto Lopez doubled to score Connor Norby, Cristian Pache homered for the first time since
July 7 of last year and Xavier Edwards tripled to bring David Hensley home.
The Marlins finished the night with 14 hits, including three from David Hensley.
“I haven’t had much success in my first couple of opportunities, so anything to get the boys going,” Hensley said.
“Offensively, it was fantastic,” Schumaker said.
But a usually reliable bullpen gave up seven runs in the final three innings, including four in the seventh.
With two outs, former Marlin Josh Bell smacked an RBI single against Andrew Nardi, who came in after Jesús Tinoco walked two of the first four batters he faced in the frame. Pinch-hitter Lourdes Gurriel Jr. then drove a basesclearing double to center field.
Emmanuel Ramirez gave up a solo home run to Geraldo Perdomo in the eighth and Calvin Faucher was tagged for two runs in the ninth.
Starter Roddery Muñoz surrendered three runs in 3.1 innings.
“I just wanted to stop the bleeding if I could,” Schumaker said of removing Muñoz in the fourth.
With the Marlins trailing 8-6 in the eighth, pinchhitter Vidal Bruján hit an RBI double to close the gap. After the next batter, Edwards, struck out looking, Schumaker emerged from the dugout and was promptly ejected by home plate umpire Gabe Morales.
In the sixth, Burger was struck by a pitch on his left elbow but stayed in the game and immediately stole a base for only the second time in his career.