Cardinals defeat Marlins to end 3-game skid

[June 11, 2019]  Marcell Ozuna scored two runs in his return to his former home stadium, and Michael Wacha pitched six scoreless innings as the St. Louis Cardinals defeated the host Miami Marlins 4-1 on Monday night.

Ozuna went 2-for-3 with a double, a single and a walk as the Cardinals snapped a three-game losing streak despite getting just four hits. Ozuna is 5-for-7 in his past two games and is hitting .462 in seven career games against the Marlins.

Wacha (4-2) improved his career record against Miami to 3-0. He allowed five hits -- all singles -- and two walks on Monday, striking out four in his first win since May 9. He had been relegated to the bullpen after losing his second straight start on May 22.

Miami, which has lost five straight games, was led by rookie center fielder Harold Ramirez, who went 3-for-4 and scored the Marlins' only run. He is hitting .330 since making his major league debut on May 11.

Marlins starter Sandy Alcantara (3-6), facing the Cardinals for the first time since he was among the players they traded to get Ozuna in December 2017, took the loss. He allowed four hits, four walks and four runs -- just one earned -- in five innings, striking out six.

St. Louis opened the scoring in the fourth inning. Ozuna doubled with one out and scored on Yairo Munoz's two-out double to left.

The Cardinals stretched their lead to 4-0 in the sixth. Paul Goldschmidt hit a leadoff single, and Ozuna worked an eight-pitch walk.

Cardinals left fielder Marcell Ozuna (23), center fielder Harrison Bader (48) and right fielder Dexter Fowler (25) celebrate after defeating the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Kolten Wong bunted toward third base, and Marlins catcher Jorge Alfaro pounced on the ball, but his off-target throw sailed off the glove of first baseman Garrett Cooper for an error that allowed Goldschmidt and Ozuna to score.

Wong, who reached third on the error, scored on Harrison Bader's sacrifice fly.

Miami got on the board in the seventh against reliever John Gant. Ramirez hit a leadoff double and came around to score on Alfaro's groundout.

After Gant pitched two innings, Jordan Hicks -- throwing as hard as 102 mph -- pitched a scoreless ninth for his 13th save.

--Field Level Media

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