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 Nicolino took another step forward Monday night, scattering six hits
in 6 2/3 innings to lead the Miami Marlins to a 6-2 victory over the
Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park.
"It's great to see a young guy like that and not be afraid of
results," Miami manager Dan Jennings said. "Nico set the tone. That
was a tremendous outing and something we desperately needed."
The 23-year-old, acquired in the 12-player deal with Toronto in
2012, was making his fourth major league start. He walked two and
struck out three.
"I'm not an overpowering guy," Nicolino said. "I'm not going to
punch out many people. If I can go out there and get guys to hit my
pitches and get a ground-ball out or a fly-ball out, that's what I'm
out there to do."
Derek Dietrich's eighth home run of the year highlighted a Miami
offense that produced 12 hits. Shortstop Adeiny Hechavarra, who
extended his hitting streak to 11 games, had three. First baseman
Justin Bour and second baseman Dee Gordon, who also drove in two
runs and scored, contributed two each.
Marlins pinch-hitter Casey McGehee added an insurance run with a
run-scoring single in the eighth.
The bulk of Miami's offense came at the expense of Brewers
right-hander Matt Garza (6-13), who hadn't allowed more than three
earned runs in his last five starts but was tagged for five runs and
eight hits in five innings and lost for the sixth time in his last
10 starts.
"It wasn't Matt's best night," Brewers manager Craig Counsell said.
"He's had five really nice starts since the All-Star break. Five out
of six pretty good ones. We'll take that and move forward."
Garza set a career high for losses in a season, surpassing 2009 when
he went 8-12 with a 3.95 ERA in 32 starts for the Tampa Bay Rays.
"My timing was a little off," Garza said. "It was just one of those
days that I left balls up. I haven't been getting away with anything
this year, so I really can't expect to get away with much.
"Just come back, 5-6 days, and do it again, get back on the horse.
Not a big issue. Just a game of inches and I went the wrong
direction."
Shane Peterson's RBI single gave Milwaukee a 1-0 lead in the second,
but the Marlins answered with two in the third on a two-run base hit
by Gordon.
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Bour opened the fourth with a single to right and Garza's next pitch
-- a fastball to Dietrich -- was belted for a home run to center,
giving the Marlins a 4-1 lead.
Marlins third baseman Martin Prado extended the lead to four runs
with a sacrifice fly in the fifth.
Brewers right fielder Ryan Braun got one of those runs back,
chopping a single into short left to score pinch-hitter Jason
Rogers.
Milwaukee mounted one last threat in the ninth, putting a runner at
second with two outs after a pinch-hit double by Scooter Gennett.
Catcher Jonathan Lucroy was next and grounded out to short on a play
challenged by Counsell.
"It was a close play, but I think any close play that's the last out
of the game you are going to challenge," Counsell said. "I think it
was close enough. Obviously, you use a little more discretion if it
is earlier in the game, but last play of the game you are going to
just roll the dice."
NOTES: Miami placed RHP David Phelps on the 15-day disabled list
with a right elbow strain and selected the contract of RHP Erik
Cordier from Triple-A New Orleans on Monday. Cordier, a native of
Green Bay, Wis., was with the team and in uniform on Monday night at
Miller Park. ... The Brewers are 23-10 in their last 33 meetings
with the Marlins and have won or tied the season series every year
since 2009. ... Florida SS Adeiny Hechavarria came into the game
with a 10-game hitting streak. He's batting .342 during that stretch
with six runs, two triples and four RBIs. Hechavarria is a .333
career hitter against the Brewers and 11-for-27 in seven games at
Miller Park. ... Marlins manager Dan Jennings said OF Giancarlo
Stanton is close to facing live pitching as he recovers from a
broken hand that sidelined him on June 26.
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