Young players Cabrera, Sanchez emerging as Marlins beat Cubs, split four-game series

Cabrera’s final line might not have been as strong as his first start. But his three earned runs across five innings with seven strikeouts on Sunday was good enough to keep the Marlins in the game.

How the right-hander performs during the next months could be a big indicator if the team can overcome their slow start.

“Old Cabrera would have given up six or seven runs,” manager Skip Schumaker said. “That showed what he is all about. The maturity level has really turned the corner for me. I saw it in Spring Training, and then as soon as he came back from the IL, he’s just been a different guy out there.”

Another big indicator for this Marlins team will be the play of Sánchez — who has had his struggles out of the gate.

He entered the day hitting just .191 with zero extra-base hits and 14 strikeouts across 17 games. Nevertheless, he showed some life at the plate in the win.

The 26-year-old hit a mammoth home run in the second inning that traveled 460 feet over the batter’s eye in center field.

Then, the slugger came up to the plate with runners on first and third in the fourth inning and delivered an RBI single to give the Marlins a 2-1 lead.

Both hits were also hit hard, totaling an exit velocity of 113.6 mph on the homer and 108 mph on the single.

“Honestly, it feels really good,” Sánchez said. “But I think what the team wants and what I want is just to win games.”

The potential has always been there for Sánchez to produce in the Majors.

He is a former top-50 prospect who has had some really nice stretches with the Marlins.

Last season, the outfielder had a 16-game span from May 3 to June 7, where he hit .392 (20 for 51) with five home runs, six doubles and 13 RBI.

Miami, though, hasn’t seen consistent production from him over his short career. They are hoping that Sunday’s game is a sign of what’s to come for the young outfielder.

“Sánchez showed what he can do last year when you give him a run, and he’s really good,” Schumaker said. “I’ll bet against any righty against him because he’s that good at the plate.”

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