Lack of command forces Cosart to Triple-A

CHICAGO -- Marlins right-hander Jarred Cosart was amped up and eager to face the Cubs at Wrigley Field on Saturday, the Fourth of July. But after he allowed a pair of home runs, including a grand slam, to Kris Bryant in the Cubs' 7-2 win, Cosart saw his night and his current run as a member of the Marlins' rotation come to an end.

After Cosart was tagged for seven runs in 1 2/3 innings, the Marlins optioned the 25-year-old right-hander to Triple-A New Orleans. The club announced that first baseman Michael Morse (right ring finger) will be reinstated from the disabled list and join the club for Sunday afternoon's series finale.

"I was told it's a performance-based industry," Cosart said. "I didn't perform today. I've got to get back at it and prepare for my next start."

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The seven earned runs allowed matched a career high for Cosart, who gave up seven in one-third of an inning at Oakland on April 18, 2014. The right-hander was with the Astros at the time.

"We're going to option him down and let him work on some things that he needs to refine to get himself back to being the Jarred Cosart that we know he is -- both mentally and physically -- and get him right so he can come back here and use his pitches," manager Dan Jennings said.

Cosart's struggles were a direct result of his inability to find the strike zone. Of the 44 pitches he threw, just 21 were strikes.

It was a frustrating night overall for the Marlins, who out-hit Chicago, 10-4. But Miami left 12 runners on base, compared to one for the Cubs.

"Momentum kind of stopped for us, and that was on me," Cosart said. "That pretty much sums it up; they got four hits and seven runs. I got behind hitters, got in fastball counts and threw fastballs down the middle."

Bryant's grand slam with two outs in the second inning ended Cosart's night. Miami has not named a rotation replacement, but it may end up being right-handed rookie Jose Urena, who has a 4.04 ERA in nine outings (seven starts) with the Marlins this season and is currently at New Orleans.

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It's been a rough year for Cosart, who spent five weeks on the disabled list due to vertigo.

Cosart's last start before he hit the DL was May on 13 against the Dodgers in Los Angeles. He then went on a rehab assignment and worked a four-inning relief stint on June 26 against the Dodgers.

Since throwing eight scoreless innings in a no-decision against the Mets on April 27, Cosart has given up 20 earned runs over 20 innings (9.00 ERA) spanning five games (four starts).

"I guess this was my chance, and I obviously didn't pitch well," Cosart said. "So I'll go down there and figure things out."