Marlins' Jennings optimistic despite losing managerial debut: 'It was surreal to be in the moment'
New manager, same problem for the Miami Marlins.
The Arizona Diamondbacks scored the winning run in the 13th inning off pitcher Steve Cishek for a 3-2 win, spoiling Dan Jennings' managerial debut.
Cishek, who lost the Marlins' closer's job last week following a fourth blown save, allowed one run off three hits in two innings to record his fourth loss.
"Other than the final outcome of the game because you play them to win it was surreal to be in the moment,'' Jennings told reporters following the game. "It definitely moves quicker in the dugout than the suite upstairs, no doubt about that. But I really like a lot of things that I saw tonight and we'll get back at it tomorrow.''
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The loss is the fourth straight for a Marlins team that fired manger Mike Redmond on Sunday before anointing Jennings as the team's seventh manager in six seasons.
Jennings began his career with the Marlins in 2002 and was named general manager at the end of the 2013 season.
While he admitted there were skeptics, including his own mom, Jennings said during his unveiling that he considered himself up for the challenge after spending 31 years in baseball.
It didn't take long for Jennings to look comfortable in uniform, though veteran outfielder Ichiro Suzuki wasn't letting him forget his front office roots prior to the game.
(Courtesy: MLB.com)