Saturday, September 28, 2013
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Koehler beats bug in Marlins' 3-2 win over Tigers

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[September 28, 2013]  MIAMI (AP) -- Marlins pitcher Tom Koehler overcame a stomach bug and the Detroit Tigers to earn his second straight victory in his last start of the season.

Koehler pitched 5 1-3 innings and Giancarlo Stanton drove in three runs to lead Miami to a 3-2 win over Detroit on Friday night that kept the Tigers from clinching home field throughout the postseason.

"It was one of those days that I had to gut it through," Koehler said.

Koehler (5-10) gave up two runs and five hits, walked three and struck out three.

"It was a great way to go out," Koehler said. "I've been real pleased the way I've been throwing the ball the last couple of outings. I only feel the experience I've had here is going to help me in the future."

Miami scored all its runs on Stanton's bases-loaded double in the third. The Marlins loaded the bases on Koyle Hill's leadoff single and consecutive two-out walks to Placido Polanco and Christian Yelich.

"We had some great at-bats, were patient," Marlins manager Mike Redmond said. "(Stanton) was fortunate enough to come up with the bases loaded and hit it down the line.

"We've lost 100 games, but the guys are still playing. Those guys were trying to win that game tonight and that's fun to watch."

Detroit's Jhonny Peralta played in his first game since completing a 50-game suspension, going 1 for 4 with an RBI.

"I felt pretty good," Peralta said. "I saw the ball well, the breaking ball and everything. I made good contact."

Peralta, who was suspended for his involvement in the Florida-based Biogenesis performance enhancing lab, started in left field and had his first chance on Stanton's double. 

"I played deep to him, close to the wall," Peralta said. "That's what they told me to do. He hit it perfect, close to the line. There was nothing I could do."

Peralta's run-scoring double chased Koehler in the sixth and cut the Marlins' lead to 3-2.

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Ryan Webb relieved Koehler and pitched 1 2-3 scoreless innings and Chad Qualls followed with a perfect eighth. Steve Cishek pitched a scoreless ninth for his 29th consecutive save and 34th in 36 opportunities.

The Tigers scored their first run on Austin Jackson's scoring single in the fifth. Koehler struck out Andy Dirks to end the Tigers' threat.

Detroit's Jose Alvarez (1-5) lasted 2 2-3 innings in his return to the starting rotation after eight relief appearances. He allowed three runs and two hits, walking two and striking out three in his first start since Aug. 16.

"You can't win a division title if you can't win on the road," Detroit manager Jim Leyland said. "I've always been proud to take my team on the road. I think sometimes -- to be honest -- the pressure is on the home team more."

Earlier Friday, the Marlins fired Larry Beinfest, the team's president of baseball operations. Beinfest had overseen player personnel for the Marlins since 2002.

NOTES: Former Marlin Miguel Cabrera received a warm ovation before his first at-bat in the first inning and after he was removed for a pinch runner following his leadoff single in the sixth. Cabrera, who went 2 for 3, played with the Marlins the first five seasons of his career before being traded to Detroit in 2008. ... 1B Prince Fielder was replaced by Don Kelly after he walked to lead off the second. ... The roof at Marlins Park was open for the 14th time in the season. ... Polanco reached over the railing near the Marlins dugout and landed in the stands to catch Don Kelly's pop-up in the eighth inning.

[Associated Press]

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