|
 But a ninth-inning base-running mistake by the Chicago Cubs provided
the final push the Marlins needed.
Center fielder Marcell Ozuna cleared the bases in the fifth inning
with a three-run double, the decisive blow in Miami's 5-2 win over
Chicago at Marlins Park.
The Cubs momentarily loaded the bases with one out in the ninth, but
Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton's throw to second caught
Chicago's Addison Russell off the base.
"I was just looking to go to third," Russell said. "At the last
second, I saw (third-base coach Gary) Jones hold up his hands, and I
tried to get back as fast as I could.
"I'm aggressive. I don't think that was a stupid or dumb play. I was
trying to get to third to put my team in a better situation to win.
Next time, I've got to make sure I pick up Jonesy."
Marlins closer A.J. Ramos then struck out pinch-hitter Miguel
Montero to nail down his fifth save of the season.
"We had a great opportunity to come back," Cubs manager Joe Maddon
said. "We did have overzealous base-running at second. Otherwise, we
have bases loaded and one out -- that's not a bad moment right
there.
"I love our fight. I'll take our fight any day of the week."
Stanton added a solo homer in the seventh, putting Miami up 5-2.
That gave Stanton 16 homers and 45 RBIs on the season. He started
the day tied for first in the National League in RBIs and tied for
third in homers.
The Marlins' other big hit was a run-scoring double by shortstop
Adeiny Hechavarria. Ozuna, Stanton and Hechavarria are all
right-handed hitters who went to the opposite field for their
extra-base hits.
"Frankie (Menechino, the hitting coach) drives that approach home,
especially in this (spacious) ballpark," Marlins manager Dan
Jennings said. "Our guys get in the cage and they work on using both
gaps. When they can turn the field around a little bit, it opens
things up for them."
Left-hander Brad Hand (1-1) earned his first win of the season,
allowing six hits, two walks and two runs in six innings. Hand was
the first left-handed starter faced by the Cubs in 18 days.
Right-hander Kyle Hendricks (1-2) took the loss, allowing seven
hits, two walks and four runs.
Miami (21-32) snapped a two-game losing streak.
Chicago (27-23) had a modest two-game win streak broken.
The highlight for the Cubs came in the ninth when shortstop Starlin
Castro, 25, singled to left. He became the youngest player to reach
900 career hits while in a Cubs uniform. He beat the previous record
set by Ron Santo in 1965.
Miami opened the scoring in the second inning. Ozuna beat out an
infield hit and eventually scored on a ground-rule double by
Hechavarria, who hit a 1-2 pitch to right field, where it went over
the fence on a hop.
[to top of second column] |
Chicago took a 2-1 lead in the third. Center fielder Dexter Fowler
beat out an infield single and scored from first on a two-out double
to the right-field corner by first baseman Anthony Rizzo. Right
fielder Junior Lake then followed with his own RBI double, also to
the right-field corner.
Miami took a 4-2 lead in the fifth on a two-out, three-run double to
right-center by Ozuna, who hit the first pitch of the at-bat,
capitalizing on a fastball up in the zone.
Hand started the rally with a single, and he's now hitting .200 on
the season.
"I can hit a little bit," Hand said. "I used to be able to do it in
high school, but you just don't get as many reps here and you lose
the feel.
"I was just looking for a pitch I could hit up the middle. It ran
away, and it broke my bat, actually."
Before Ozuna got his big hit, Stanton was up with the bases loaded
and no outs.
"I was pretty nervous when Stanton was hitting, and I was on third,"
Hand said. "The whole time I'm thinking what I'm going to do if the
ball comes at me because (Stanton's hard line drives) can kill you."
As it turns out, Stanton struck out, and it was Ozuna who killed the
Cubs.
NOTES: Miami called up RHP Kendry Flores, 23, from Double-A
Jacksonville. He replaces deposed closer Steve Cishek on the roster.
... Marlins RHP Henderson Alvarez, out since May 22 due to right
shoulder inflammation, has yet to resume throwing. ... Marlins SS
Adeiny Hechavarria (bruised left shoulder) returned to the lineup
after missing three games. ... Cubs manager Joe Maddon, on going
from GM to manager, which is what Miami's Dan Jennings did last
month: "I never did it. First of all, I love DJ (Jennings). I think
he's a great baseball guy. But for me, it (GM-to-manager transition)
is almost an impossible thought." ... Cubs 3B Kris Bryant made his
first start in left field as a major-leaguer. He started once in
center field earlier this season. ... The Cubs rested RF Jorge
Soler, C Miguel Montero and LF Chris Coghlan, starting Junior Lake
in right, David Ross at catcher and Jonathan Herrera at third base.
[© 2015 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
Copyright 2015 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
 |
