Rogers in relief for Marlins season finale

The Miami Marlins quest for a third World Series title will have to wait until at least 2021 after their 7-0 loss to the Atlanta Braves in the third game of the National League Division Series (NLDS) on Thursday afternoon.

Carlsbad's Trevor Rogers was scheduled to start Game 4 against the Braves if Miami could force the additional game, but with Miami trailing 4-0 in the third, Marlins manager Don Mattingly called Rogers from the bullpen to provide some relief for starting pitcher and fellow rookie Sixto Sánchez . 

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"This is one of those times where you have to win today to get to tomorrow," Rogers said. "I was told (before the game) I'm their guy (in the bullpen) if anything goes wrong."

Rogers did what he could to stop Atlanta's offensive surge, but in the end Atlanta's bats proved too much for the left-handed rookie. He pitched 1 2/3 innings. In his 44 pitches Rogers gave up four hits, three runs, two earned and struck out two batters. 

The end of the season wasn't something Rogers liked, but was glad for the chance to play baseball at all in 2020.

"Getting to know all these guys was great. They treat me just like another guy who's part of the team. I got to learn from some really good veterans," he said. "This sucks right now. That loss leaves a bad taste in your mouth because I knew the talent we had. We were a scrappy ballclub. It sucks but we got some unfinished business to do (next year)." 

Miami's first Spring Training game is scheduled for February 27, 2021 against the New York Mets -- the same team Rogers had his MLB debut against -- in Port St. Lucie, Florida.

Matthew Asher can be reached at 575-628-5524, masher@currentargus.com or @Caveman_Masher on Twitter.  Support award-winning local journalism. Subscribe to the Current-Argus today.