Amidst a frustrating four-game losing streak to kick off the season, Jazz Chisholm Jr., outfielder for the Miami Marlins, weighed in on the team’s decision to open the retractable roof at LoanDepot Park over the weekend.
During the series against the Pirates, the roof remained open for three out of four games, culminating in a sweeping victory for Pittsburgh as the Marlins succumbed 9-7 in extra innings on Sunday afternoon.
Chisholm, reflecting on the challenges posed by the Pirates’ relief pitchers, particularly pointed out the difficulty in adjusting to the unfamiliar shadows cast across the field. Accustomed to playing indoors daily, the Marlins found it tough to adapt to the changing light conditions brought about by the open roof.
In the face of this adjustment, Chisholm managed to deliver a grand slam during Sunday’s loss. However, across the series, Miami struggled to keep pace, being outscored 31-17 by the Pirates. Notably, Chisholm’s grand slam marked the Marlins’ first home run of the season.
Expressing the team’s frustration with the string of close games and extra innings, Chisholm emphasized the early stage of the season and the need to maintain perspective despite the challenging start.
LoanDepot Park, known for its infrequent outdoor games due to South Florida’s unpredictable weather patterns, typically sees limited exposure to open-air play. In the past years, the Marlins have only opened the roof a handful of times due to the prevalence of sudden thunderstorms, especially in the evenings.
Despite this history, there’s a possibility of more outdoor games as the Marlins continue their homestand this week. The upcoming series against the Los Angeles Angels, starting with right-handed pitcher Max Meyer on Monday, might see the roof open once again.
Chisholm remained optimistic, acknowledging the team’s current rough patch while emphasizing the importance of resilience in overcoming such challenges swiftly.
