|
 Right fielder Giancarlo Stanton scored the go-ahead run on a wild
pitch in the eighth inning, and the Marlins avoided a sweep in the
three-game series with a come-from-behind, 4-3 victory against the
Chicago Cubs.
Miami made up two deficits after losing right-hander Henderson
Alvarez to an injury that looked worse than it ended up being.
"Obviously, it wasn't perfect, but I was happy with the way we
battled and kept ourselves in there," Miami manager Mike Redmond
said.
The Marlins snapped the Chicago's five-game winning streak by
getting to the Cubs' normally sturdy bullpen.
Pedro Strop (0-3) pitched the eighth inning and took the loss,
allowing two runs on a hit and two walks -- one intentional.
"Just forget about this one and bounce back tomorrow because we
cannot be perfect," Strop said. "We gave our best, and it didn't
work."
The Cubs' bullpen entered with a 2.01 ERA in its past 24 games, but
it came apart after the departure of Jake Arrieta. The right-handed
starter gave up just three hits and matched a season high with seven
strikeouts over six scoreless innings.
Chicago right-hander Brian Schlitter allowed two runs on three hits
and a walk in the seventh inning, allowing Miami to climb out of a
2-0 hole.
"Today was a hiccup," Cubs manager Rick Renteria said of his
bullpen. "We tried to get through there with a couple of our guys,
and it didn't work out."
Alvarez, the Miami starter, exited with a strained left hip after 5
1/3 innings. He gave up two runs (one earned) and seven hits with
five strikeouts and no walks.
After the game, Alvarez said he was fine and that he was removed by
Redmond as a precaution.
"All my pitches were working," Alvarez said. "Unfortunately, I got
hurt and I had to be taken out of the game. I really wanted to keep
on pitching and do whatever I can to help the team."
Left-hander Mike Dunn (5-3) pitched two-thirds of an inning to earn
the win. Steve Cishek pitched a perfect ninth to earn his 14th save
in 15 opportunities.
Second baseman Emilio Bonifacio had three hits for Chicago. Left
fielder Christian Yelich led the Marlins with two hits and two
stolen bases.
With Mimi down 3-2 going into the eighth, Yelich walked to start the
inning against Strop. After a strikeout, Stanton was hit by a pitch
before a single by third baseman Casey McGehee loaded the bases.
First baseman Garrett Jones followed with a sacrifice fly to right
to score Yelich, with Stanton and McGehee advancing thanks to a
throwing error by Cubs left fielder Chris Coghlan.
Stanton, who finished 0-for-3, scored the decisive run two batters
later.
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The Cubs jumped to a 2-0 lead in the sixth after Miami's scary
moment.
With shortstop Starlin Castro on second, second baseman Luis
Valbuena reached on an error by Jones on the play that ended
Alvarez's day.
Alvarez came down awkwardly after jumping to grab Jones' high toss.
Alvarez tried to stretch back with his foot to tag the bag as his
momentum carried him forward, but he ended up coming down awkwardly
in a splits position.
Chicago right fielder Nate Schierholtz followed with a two-run
triple down the first base line against Alvarez's replacement, lefty
Dan Jennings. The runs were charged to Alvarez, ending his 26-inning
scoreless streak.
Thankfully for the Marlins, who previously lost young star pitcher
Jose Fernandez for the year to injury, Alvarez's ailment wasn't
serious.
"We can't afford any injuries, especially those pitchers," Redmond
said. "We've already had that happen, and we can't afford anybody
else to get hurt."
The Marlins struck back immediately in the seventh against
Schlitter. After a one-out walk to McGehee and a single by center
fielder Marcell Ozuna with two gone, catcher J.T. Realmuto and
shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria each delivered RBI singles to tie the
score at 2.
Third baseman Luis Valbuena walked with the bases loaded in the
bottom of the seventh to give the Cubs a 3-2 lead. Barney scored
after he was hit by a pitch to begin the inning. He advanced to
third when center fielder Junior Lake's flare dropped into right for
a double. First baseman Anthony Rizzo was intentionally walked to
get to Valbuena.
NOTES: Marlins manager Mike Redmond said he may shuffle his rotation
this week to enable RHP Nathan Eovaldi (4-2, 3.27 ERA) to be there
for the birth of his child without missing a start. If Eovaldi's
wife has not given birth by Wednesday, Eovaldi may be moved up from
his scheduled Friday start. ... Cubs C John Baker snapped an
0-for-12 streak with a single in the fifth inning.
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