Cordier making most of opportunity with Marlins

MIAMI -- When Erik Cordier was released from the Giants on Aug. 1, the right-handed reliever chose to sign with Miami because he saw an opportunity.

"I pretty much told [manager Dan Jennings] that I'd do whatever it takes to throw, get as many innings as I can and show that I can be a reliable arm in the big leagues," he said.

The 29-year-old took a strong step in proving himself during Wednesday's 7-2 loss to the Pirates, tossing a career-high 3 1/3 hitless innings of relief on 44 pitches. He came on with two outs in the fourth inning in place of starter Chris Narveson, stranding two runners as he went on to strike out three and walk only one.

"Being a bullpen day for us, I was just trying to eat as many outs as possible," said Cordier, who topped out at 99 mph. "It just so happened I did a good job of keeping the ball over the plate and they kept putting it in play and we kept making plays behind me."

The outing was a bounce-back effort for Cordier, who was ejected from Monday's loss after he came on in the eighth inning and hit Sean Rodriguez with a 97-mph fastball on just his second pitch of the outing. Admitting that "it was nice to get back out there and get going again," he lowered his ERA from 4.50 to 2.45.

Video: PIT@MIA: Cordier ejected after Bucs suffer two HBPs

Cordier has now appeared in four games with Miami, allowing two earned runs in 7 1/3 innings on three hits, three walks and six strikeouts.

"He was downhill with a power fastball up to 99 [mph]," Jennings said. "He was on attack and that was good to see."

Cordier joined the Marlins on Aug. 17 when his contract was selected from Triple-A New Orleans. He pitched just four games for the Zephyrs after being released by the Giants on Aug. 1.

San Francisco let Cordier go despite the righty posting a 1.04 ERA in 34 2/3 innings this season for Triple-A Sacramento. He also made his Major League debut with the Giants in 2014, surrendering only one run in six innings (1.50 ERA) over seven appearances.

He kept that pace on Wednesday, striking out the side in the seventh inning to end his stellar outing.

Even more, Cordier recorded his impressive effort against a familiar foe, as he was with the Pirates organization throughout Spring Training 2013 before pitching the entire season with their Triple-A Indianapolis team.

"It was a really good test and a lot of fun to face a lot of those guys," Cordier said.